Ladies and gentlemen: Meet the new Mrs. Griswold.
Former
[[ up all i night ]] <=""> co-star Christina Applegate is in discussions to join New Line’s Vacation remake-reboot project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She would be cast opposite The Hangover standout Ed Helms, who’ll actually be playing Rusty Griswold in the new film. The role was originated by Anthony Michael Hall in Harold Ramis’ 1983 comedy, though Jason Lively, Johnny Galecki, and Ethan Embry played him in the later sequels. Rumors also continue to swirl that Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo are coveted to reprise their roles of Clark and Ellen, Rusty’s clueless parents.
One way to help get us excited for a resurrection of the Vacation property is to cast Applegate as Helms’ wife, who THR says “may be losing interest in him.” The Married With Children actress is frequently funny on screen, and can hold her own against big-screen partners like Will Ferrell (as seen in Anchorman and hopefully the upcoming sequel). She’d be an instant boost to a reboot most probably don’t see the need for. Wouldn’t it just make more sense to give Helms and Applegate their own comedy, and not try to tie it directly back to the Vacation series? Let the movie try to stand on its own two feet instead of inviting comparisons to a movie that worked well 30 years ago?
The new Vacation will be co-directed by Horrible Bosses writers John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. And if you’d like to remember what the real Griswolds were like, here’s that strange Old Navy commercial that recruited different actors from the comedic franchise for a recent Christmas ad. Enjoy!
[[ up all i night ]]
