You may have already heard this recently released Christmas Entertainment news, but just in case you haven't - on January 14th, 2022, Disney announced actor Tim Allen (Home Improvement, Toy Story (voice of Buzz Lightyear), Last Man Standing, etc...) would be reprising his role as Santa Claus/Scott Calvin in an all new "Santa Clause" series for their streaming service, Disney Plus.
According to an article in Variety, here is the storyline: "In the series, Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s starting to lose a step in his Santa duties, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
🎄My Quick Take - on the "Santa Clause" sequel news:
I personally have always loved the trilogy of "Santa Clause" films, ever since I watched the first movie in 1994! Back in the 90's, the "Home Improvement" sitcom was quite popular, so that made Tim Allen an excellent choice for this role. There's something so magical and enchanting about the North Pole and Santa, of course! Watching Scott Calvin transform into the role of Santa Claus and delivering gifts from home to home is always so much fun. I especially love his son, Charlie... his overwhelming excitement is like every little boy and girl at Christmas - who still believes! We are introduced to Charlie's little sister, Lucy, in "The Santa Clause 2," and she has the same sparkle about Christmas in her eyes, as Charlie did in the first film!
Ever since I heard this sequel news, I've been thinking it over, and I must say, I don't really like the idea of Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) stepping down from his role as Santa. Santa Claus has always held the iconic image of being older with his gray hair and beard, plump belly, and glasses. The age of 65 actually seems ideal for Santa. I always thought Tim Allen was a little young for the role before, and now that he is the perfect age (in my opinion) to be Santa Claus (or Santa Clause!), they want to replace him with someone, presumably, younger? Frankly, I'm not liking this. While I do love the idea of there being an all new "Santa Clause' series, I'm not liking the idea of Santa being replaced. It's my hope that Scott Calvin sets out to find someone new, perhaps his son, Charlie, and either he takes over or Scott (Tim Allen) realizes a renewed love for his mission of being Santa!
I would love to hear your thoughts in comments below...
The other popular Christmas sequel recently announced on January 20, 2022 - is a sequel to "A Christmas Story". I find this is a movie most people either love or hate. My aunt always loved it! To be honest, though, it's not one I personally love, but I don't hate it either. There's something about the 1940's era and nostalgic part of it that pulls me in. Now, the father can be rather gruff and somewhat vulgar with his leg lamp and all, but that's part of the comedy of the story, I guess, that draws people in. Ralphie's ultimate dream of wanting the "Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle" (AKA: BB gun) actually comes true, and that's also part of the charm people like, a child's simple wish coming true at Christmas time. The movie was actually filmed in Cleveland, Ohio and Toronto, Ontario. I think filming in the Cleveland area in the early 80's, gave it a realistic sense of small town America.
The fictional home used for "A Christmas Story" still stands in Ohio today; in fact, it was purchased by a man from California on Ebay for $150,000! He turned the place into a museum, movie merchandise store (they have some cute ornaments!), and according to the FAQs on the official web-site, they "triple dog dare you to spend the night in A Christmas Story House!" Reservation details can be found here. I think that would be a pretty neat overnight stay for anyone who loves the movie.
As for the sequel, Entertainment Weekly announced that Peter Billingsley will reprise his role as Ralphie and produce this all new feature for HBO Max, which has been titled, "A Christmas Story Christmas". Furthermore, EW shared these story details: "The sequel will follow an adult version of the character 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 as the original, Ralphie reconnects with childhood friends, reconciles the passing of his "Old Man," and sews the seeds for the origins of the beloved holiday classic."
🎄My Quick Take - on "A Christmas Story" sequel news:
The storyline we've been given sounds rather intriguing, as long as they keep the content PG clean. It's hard to say if that will happen, especially since it will be premiering on HBO Max. It sounds rather heartwarming to see a grown up Ralphie return to his childhood home and reconnect with past friends, but I'm sure there will be some comedy in there, too. Hope they are also able to bring back some of the other well-known characters from the original movie.
I would love to know your opinion on both sequels. Are you a fan of the "Santa Clause" or "A Christmas Story"? Please share your thoughts in comments below.
By the way, if you are missing Christmas movies on TV, you can check the Christmas TV Schedule for upcoming weekly Christmas movies airing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the Hallmark Channel, and GAC Family - see here!
Happy movie watching!
Blessings, Net 🎄🎅
images: "The Santa Clause" via Walt Disney Pictures / A Christmas Story via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
