A “strange” encounter with actor Chevy Chase led to the departure of then-unknown director Chris Columbus National Lampoon's Christmas Holiday. the Nosferatu The producer recalled the experience publicly for the first time, explaining that Chase's disrespectful interactions toward him led him to quit at a time when he was most in need of a next project.
In a new sit-in with Vanity galleryColumbus recounted his contact with John Hughes, who was acting on behalf of the same agent at the time, following the release of a “complete disaster” of a film titled Heartbreak hotel. After the box office and huge failure… Breakfast Club The director sent him the script Christmas vacation.
Columbus sprang into action, beginning second unit filming in Chicago around Christmas time.
“I signed up…and then I met Chevy Chase. “Even given my situation at the time, where I was desperate to make a film, I realized I couldn't work with the man,” he said. “I was one of the many who couldn't work with him. And I called John and said, 'This is very difficult for me, but I can't do this movie with Chevy Chase.'
the Gremlins Helmer had two meetings with Chase, during which… Saturday Night Live The alum didn't say a word for half an hour and was rejected as the director of the film.
“he king “I know I was directing the movie,” Columbus explained. “I talked about how I saw the movie, and how I wanted to make the movie. He didn't say anything. We spent about half an hour talking. He didn't say anything. word. Then he stops and says – This doesn't make any sense to any human being on this planet, but I'm telling you. I may have never told this story. Forty minutes into the meeting, he said, “Wait a minute.” Are you the manager? I said: “Yes… I am directing the film.” He told me the most surreal and strange thing. I still can't understand any meaning of it. “Oh, I thought you were the drummer,” he said. I said: Oh, okay. Let's start talking about the movie again. After about 30 seconds, he said, “I have to go.”
During the second meeting, where Hughes was also present, Mrs. Doubtfire The director said it was “basically non-existent” and that Hughes and Chase discussed everything but the film. That's when the decision was solidified: “First, he's not engaged. He treats me like a sh–. I don't need this. I'd rather not work again. 'I'd rather write,' he said. “I thought, this is how we're going to work together? “I'll be on set and he won't listen.” (VF Chase did not respond to a request for comment.)
While it is unclear whether Chase was playing a prank on Columbus or “teasing” him, Jeremiah S. Chechenik directed the 1989 film, the third film of the 1980s. vacation series. Columbus said he called Hughes and explained that he couldn't continue with the project and that “you're not going to make a good movie with this guy and I'm going to let you down,” which Hughes took in stride.
But all is well, and this ending is fine: The following weekend, Hughes sent the text Alone at home -The rest is Christmas history.
