The true magic of Christmas is set to return through the eyes of one the most beloved Christmas stories. Better yet, A Christmas Story!
Deadline reports sources say two companies, Legendary and Warner Bro, have closed a deal for Peter Billingsley to star in A Christmas Story sequel to the holiday classic A Christmas Story, which will premiere on HBOMax. This would not be the first sequel to the original which brought back The Parker Family. In 1994 " It Runs In The Family" followed Ralphie (Kieran Culkin) in what was later called "My Summer Story". Then in 2012, A Christmas Story 2 starring Braeden Lemasters as an older, less appealing Ralphie was made.
As for the 2022 version nothing has been confirmed, but sources add that Airplane star Julie Hagerty will play Billingsley’s mother. Other stars who played Ralphies mom are Mary Steenbrgen and Stacy Travis.
The film follows an adult Ralphie (Billingsley) in the 1970s, who returns to the house on Cleveland Street to deliver his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up. With the same attention to real-life tone of the first, Ralphie reconnects with childhood friends, reconciles the passing of his Old Man and sews the seeds for the origins of the beloved holiday classic.
The script was written by Nick Schenk, who will also executive produce, and Clay Kaytis will direct. Billingsley will also produce along with his partner Vince Vaughn through their Wild West Picture Show banner. Cale Boyter and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee for Legendary. Production is set to start at the end of February in Bulgaria.
Billingsley, since his role as the ambitious youngster Ralphie, has gone on to have success as a director with hits that include the comedy Couples Retreat starring Vaughn. He also produced the Broadway musical A Christmas Story The Musical which received three Tony nominations including Best Musical. He is represented by Mitch Smelkinson. As producers, Billingsley and Vaughn have produced multiple films through Wild West Picture Show including The Break-Up, Four Christmases, Couples Retreat and F Is For Family.
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