The Family Stone 2 Is Finally In Development 20 Years Later Following Diane Keaton's Death

Over 20 years after the star-studded original Christmas movie, The Family Stone 2 is now in the works as writer-director Thomas Bezucha plans to write a long-awaited sequel. The news follows close after the death of screen legend Diane Keaton, who portrayed the Stone family matriarch, Sybil, in the 2005 movie, which was originally produced by the now Disney-owned 20th Century Fox.

In an interview with CNN, Bezucha revealed his he’s working on a script for The Family Stone 2 to “honor [Keaton] even more,” while also noting that there’s more pressure to get the sequel right and “do a good job by the rest of the cast” following the actress’ passing this year. However, the director-writer explained that he still needs to deliver the final version of his new script to the studio.

Bezucha also told his producer that he would only begin to write a sequel to The Family Stone if the main original cast was interested in returning. After reaching out to the actors, Bezucha received positive responses from all of them. The film’s principal actors include Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser, Craig T. Nelson, Claire Danes, and Tyrone Giordano, which would call for another star-packed outing in the Stone family’s story.

Though The Family Stone‘s original cast has expressed their interest in a sequel, none of the actors have officially signed onto the film, nor has The Family Stone 2 been confirmed by any studio. However, cast members like Nelson and Mulroney had noted in recent weeks that there were talks about getting a sequel together.

The 2005 movie followed Christmas with the Stone family as all five adult siblings, Everett (Mulroney), Susannah (Reaser), Ben (Wilson), Thad (Giordano), and Amy (McAdams), returned to the home of their parents, Sybil (Keaton) and Kelly (Nelson). However, this Christmas put the family to the test as Everett brought home his new girlfriend, Meredith (Parker), whom he intends to propose to despite clashing with his family members. To feel more at ease, Meredith invites her sister, Julie (Danes), to Christmas at the Stone home, adding another layer to the holiday chaos.

The Family Stone debuted in December 2005 to become a box office success, earning $92.9 million against a reported $19 million budget. The film’s success in theaters is more impressive given it was released against major franchise blockbusters The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (which earned over $745 million) and King Kong (earning a $557 million haul).

Although its critical reception remains mixed, with The Family Stone currently holding a 52% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the holiday dramedy’s star power (including one of Diane Keaton’s most celebrated roles), distinctive humor, and atmosphere have made it an annual must-watch at Christmas for the past two decades. The Family Stone‘s legacy and nostalgia have now cemented it as a holiday classic, which makes it all the more surprising that it’s taken 20 years to finally get a sequel in development.

The Family Stone 2 Story Potential

Bezucha didn’t give any details about what The Family Stone 2‘s story would entail, but a 20-year delay suggests a new generation of Stones will likely take over the Christmas mayhem. The Family Stone ended bittersweetly for the Stones, with the next Christmas seeing them adjust to life after Sybil’s death from cancer while also showcasing flourishing new romances and young additions to the family. In the final moments, we see Thad and Patrick’s new son, Susannah’s infant son, Amy and Brad going strong, Everett and Julie still together, and Meredith and Ben still a couple.

If The Family Stone 2 comes to fruition, there will likely be much more focus put on the lives of the Stone siblings’ children and how the family’s traditions and relationships have changed in the two decades since the original hit Christmas movie. Given Bezucha’s notes about intending for The Family Stone‘s sequel to honor Keaton’s legacy even more, Sybil’s memory is bound to play a pivotal role in the returning Stones’ familial conflicts.

Release Date

December 16, 2005

Runtime

104 Minutes

Director

Thomas Bezucha