Diane Keaton’s classic holiday film, The Family Stone, sets plans for the sequel following the actor’s passing. Keaton passed away in October at the age of 79, but her legacy as a lauded performer is sure to live on, with a beloved resume that includes four Oscar nominations, including one win for Annie Hall. One of her most endearing films, especially during the holiday season, is The Family Stone, which first debuted in 2005. After 20 years, writer and director Thomas Bezucha has announced plans for a follow-up, with hopes to “honor her even more.”
While speaking with CNN, Bezucha said he had been working on a sequel script when he learned of Keaton’s death. The director noted that he wanted to “do a good job by the rest of the cast” as well, as The Family Stone features an ensemble that includes Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, Dermot Mulroney, and Sarah Jessica Parker. However, his thoughts focused on Keaton’s role as Sybil, the family matriarch.
“I’ve been haunted by the loss of Sybil for months now while I worked on it, and so this was a blow on a tender bruise already. Mentally, I’ve been spending time in that house where I’ve been missing her for a while already.”
The Family Stone sees a family dealing with the revelation that Sybil is terminally ill while attempting to celebrate the holidays. Following Keaton’s passing, the movie’s plot has taken on a new connotation for fans as it is likely to enter holiday viewing rotations. However, if Bezucha has his way, Keaton’s memory will live on in a sequel that delves into where the family is now, allowing audiences to process the loss alongside the characters, much as The Family Stone did with heart and humor.
When Does ‘The Family Stone’ Sequel Come Out?
The Family Stone has endeared fans as a holiday rewatch, thanks to a mix of clashing personalities, twisting relationships, impactful family moments, and stellar performances, with Keaton standing out. It was a box office success upon release, earning $92.8 million on an $18 million budget. However, it received lukewarm reviews upon release and currently holds a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score, with an audience score not much higher. Still, it has continued to grow a loyal fanbase over the last 20 years, with many eager to see where the Stone family is after all these years.
The current hindrance to The Family Stone sequel is the cast and a studio green light. Bezucha mentioned that no cast member has officially signed on to return for the new film, which could be a big ask, given the talent in the film and the time between sequels. Furthermore, the movie was owned by 20th Century Fox, which was later acquired by Disney, and the sequel has not been given an official green light. Bezucha looks to stand by his cast, though, as he mentions, “I’m not interested in the Brady family reunion without the original Jan.” With The Family Stone‘s continued staying power during the holidays and Keaton’s legacy embedded in the film, news of the sequel being greenlit could come sooner than expected.
- Release Date
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December 16, 2005
- Runtime
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104 Minutes
- Director
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Thomas Bezucha