Proving that nothing truly is sacred in Hollywood, multiple sources have reported yesterday that there is apparently a sequel in development for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. As if the endless slew of remakes and prequels during the past decade haven’t been churned out ad nauseam, now they’re messing with the Holy Grail of holiday movies.
“The storyline of the new film retains the spirit of the original,” says producer Bob Farnsworth in a press statement. “Every life is important as long as you have friends.” They’ve even roped in Karolyn Grimes – she played little Zuzu in the original – as Clarence’s replacement who must teach George Bailey’s grandson (also named George) what life would be like without him.
Seriously? I can’t even pretend it’s unexpected that someone would eventually have the balls to mess with this film, but somewhere deep inside my fleshy, corporeal being I hoped it would never happen… and perhaps it still won’t. Even though Farnsworth and financing partner Allen J. Schwalb of Star Partners are aiming for a 2015 holiday release, no studio is attached yet. Let’s hope it stays that way.
