Chris Columbus, the director of “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” almost took on a different Christmas classic in his career. In a recent episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Columbus discussed a strange encounter with Chevy Chase that ultimately led him to turn down directing “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
John Hughes, a fellow Chicagoan, had sent Columbus the script for the movie but during a meeting with Chase, things took an awkward turn. Chase seemed disinterested and even mistook Columbus for a drummer. Feeling uncomfortable, Columbus decided to step away from the project.
However, just a week later, Hughes presented Columbus with a new script for “Home Alone.” Columbus initially had doubts about casting young Macaulay Culkin but after meeting him, he was convinced that Culkin was the right choice.
Addressing the rumor about Chris Farley almost being cast in “Home Alone,” Columbus explained that Farley had auditioned for a Santa Claus role but was not in the best shape due to a night out in Chicago. Ultimately, Farley was not cast in the film.
As for the debate about the McCallister parents’ jobs in the movie, Columbus revealed that Catherine O’Hara’s character was a successful fashion designer while the father’s profession was not specified. He ruled out organized crime as the reason for the break-in by the burglars in the film.
Overall, Columbus’s journey from almost directing one Christmas classic to helming another has left a lasting impact on his career and the iconic film “Home Alone.”
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