Update: Paramount To Fight "It's a Wonderful Life" Sequel Plans - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-18-2013, 06:52 PM

Holiday Classic It's a Wonderful Life Set for Sequel
11/18/13
by Borys Kit

The 1946 James Stewart Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life is getting the sequel treatment.

Florida-based Star Partners, a film financing entity that has worked on movies since the 1980s (Rain Man and The Color Purple were among the movies co-financed), and Nashville-based Hummingbird Prods., a company that is one of the biggest producers of music for commercials, have teamed up to develop It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Not only that, the producers -- Star Partners’ Allen J. Schwalb and Hummingbird’s Bob Farnsworth -- have even rounded up original cast member Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey’s daughter Zuzu, to return.

The idea is the brainchild of Farnsworth, who after watching and crying for the up-hundredth time, began brainstorming questions: Whatever happened to George Bailey? What happened to Zuzu?

He checked on the rights, which were in the public domain, and wrote a screenplay with Martha Bolton, who worked with Bob Hope as a staff writer on the comedian's specials. The sequel tries to marry two Christmas classics – Wonderful Life and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

"It’s a Wonderful Life is about showing a good guy can win. And with Scrooge, you have a person that is not a good guy but he changes," Farnsworth tells THR. "This story is about the amazing human capacity to forgive when we see someone change for the better."

As such, the story centers on Bailey’s not-so-good grandson who is visited by his aunt Zuzu, now an angel, to show him how much better off the world would be had be never been born.

Farnsworth is expecting some backlash, since messing with a classic is sure to generate controversy in some quarters.

"Look, no one can make another It’s a Wonderful Life. But our story is solid, and we are going in with our eyes open. There is no doubt about it, there will be a ruckus. But I have this motto: All it takes to be a leader is to have a cause you believe in. And the stronger you believe in the cause, the more adversaries you will have. And we strongly believe in this."

The producers are eyeing a budget in the $25 to $32 million range and are in the midst of searching for a director.

The idea is to have It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story ready for the 2015 holiday season.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ul-life-657108

Vahan · 11-18-2013, 06:59 PM

Why, of all movies, would someone want to make a sequel to It's a Wonderful Life?

The original film ended on a high note. No cliffhanger, no suggesting that there will definitely be a sequel.

Mr. Television · 11-18-2013, 07:19 PM

Unless they can somehow bring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed back from the dead, they should forget this. You can't beat perfection.

James28 · 11-18-2013, 07:59 PM

A sequel to a 1940s-released film in this era? How is this even possible? No surviving cast members, released in an era when films' sequels weren't commonplace...

80sTrivia · 11-18-2013, 08:16 PM

Sacrilege!!! Well, maybe not as bad as that, but where is the need for another film? The original is about as perfect a movie as ever was made...

slash187 · 11-18-2013, 08:45 PM

Marvo301 · 11-19-2013, 02:55 PM

The original movie was a wonderful story with a wonderful and heartwarming ending! We don't need any "rest of the story"!!!!

treky · 11-20-2013, 12:50 AM

just like the article said, the backlash has started!

Zoneboy · 11-20-2013, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

We don't need any "rest of the story"!!!!

Even the late Paul Harvey would agree with this statement.

Torgo · 11-20-2013, 10:05 AM

Clarence is back, and this time he's mad.

robyrob · 11-20-2013, 01:16 PM

Its A Wonderful Life 2 - Angelic Boogaloo

Penny Lane · 11-20-2013, 02:31 PM

No, thank you! I can just imagine what "today's Hollywood" would do to it!

No No No!

JamesG · 11-20-2013, 09:10 PM

It's a Wonderful Life Sequel: Paramount Promises a Fight
by Associated Press
Nov 20, 2013

Paramount won’t be giving any wings to a planned It’s a Wonderful Life sequel.

A studio spokeswoman said Wednesday that Paramount would fight the proposed follow-up to the 1946 holiday classic starring Jimmy Stewart as George Baily, a desperate family man who imagines what his town would be like if he’d never been born.

Star Partners and Hummingbird Productions announced plans Monday to create a sequel titled It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story.

“No project relating to It’s a Wonderful Life can proceed without a license from Paramount,” the studio said in a statement. “To date, these individuals have not obtained any of the necessary rights, and we would take all appropriate steps to protect those rights.”

Farnsworth and Star Partners president Allen J. Schwalb did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Farnsworth previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the property’s rights were in the public domain.

While a lapsed copyright led TV stations in the 1970s, ’80s, and early ’90s to repeatedly broadcast It’s a Wonderful Life, Paramount has controlled the rights for the past 14 years, after the studio acquired Republic Pictures as part of its acquisition of Spelling Entertainment in 1999.

Paramount has since licensed It’s a Wonderful Life to NBC, which airs it sparingly during the holiday season.

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/11/2...l-controversy/

shotzette · 11-20-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Unless they can somehow bring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed back from the dead, they should forget this. You can't beat perfection.

I'd be okay with a gritty, zombie-themed reboot starring the above than the abomination that the studio is discussing.

TMC · 11-21-2013, 04:48 PM

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...ce_a_year.html

The holiday movie used to be on television all the time.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#VuL4h2GuGUrG0X0R.99

11-18-2013, 06:52 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Update: Paramount To Fight "It's a Wonderful Life" Sequel Plans *Holiday Classic It's a Wonderful Life* Set for Sequel** 11/18/13 by Borys Kit The 1946 James Stewart Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life is getting the sequel treatment. Florida-based Star Partners, a film financing entity that has worked on movies since the 1980s (Rain Man and The Color Purple were among the movies co-financed), and Nashville-based Hummingbird Prods., a company that is one of the biggest producers of music for commercials, have teamed up to develop It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Not only that, the producers -- Star Partners’ Allen J. Schwalb and Hummingbird’s Bob Farnsworth -- have even rounded up original cast member Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey’s daughter Zuzu, to return. The idea is the brainchild of Farnsworth, who after watching and crying for the up-hundredth time, began brainstorming questions: Whatever happened to George Bailey? What happened to Zuzu? He checked on the rights, which were in the public domain, and wrote a screenplay with Martha Bolton, who worked with Bob Hope as a staff writer on the comedian's specials. The sequel tries to marry two Christmas classics – Wonderful Life and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. "It’s a Wonderful Life is about showing a good guy can win. And with Scrooge, you have a person that is not a good guy but he changes," Farnsworth tells THR. "This story is about the amazing human capacity to forgive when we see someone change for the better." As such, the story centers on Bailey’s not-so-good grandson who is visited by his aunt Zuzu, now an angel, to show him how much better off the world would be had be never been born. Farnsworth is expecting some backlash, since messing with a classic is sure to generate controversy in some quarters. "Look, no one can make another It’s a Wonderful Life. But our story is solid, and we are going in with our eyes open. There is no doubt about it, there will be a ruckus. But I have this motto: All it takes to be a leader is to have a cause you believe in. And the stronger you believe in the cause, the more adversaries you will have. And we strongly believe in this." The producers are eyeing a budget in the $25 to $32 million range and are in the midst of searching for a director. The idea is to have It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story ready for the 2015 holiday season. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ul-life-657108 Attached Images
	Last edited by JamesG; 11-20-2013 at 09:05 PM.

11-18-2013, 07:19 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Unless they can somehow bring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed back from the dead, they should forget this. You can't beat perfection.
	__________________ Sonny

11-18-2013, 07:59 PM	#4
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,983	A sequel to a 1940s-released film in this era? How is this even possible? No surviving cast members, released in an era when films' sequels weren't commonplace...
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

11-18-2013, 08:16 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Sacrilege!!! Well, maybe not as bad as that, but where is the need for another film? The original is about as perfect a movie as ever was made...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

11-19-2013, 02:55 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The original movie was a wonderful story with a wonderful and heartwarming ending! We don't need any "rest of the story"!!!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-18-2013, 06:59 PM	#2
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	Why, of all movies, would someone want to make a sequel to It's a Wonderful Life? The original film ended on a high note. No cliffhanger, no suggesting that there will definitely be a sequel.

11-18-2013, 08:45 PM	#6
slash187 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 43

11-20-2013, 12:50 AM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	just like the article said, the backlash has started!
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11-20-2013, 10:05 AM	#10
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	Clarence is back, and this time he's mad.
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11-20-2013, 01:16 PM	#11
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,198	Its A Wonderful Life 2 - Angelic Boogaloo
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11-20-2013, 02:31 PM	#12
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,260	No, thank you! I can just imagine what "today's Hollywood" would do to it! No No No!
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11-20-2013, 09:10 PM	#13
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	It's a Wonderful Life Sequel: Paramount Promises a Fight by Associated Press Nov 20, 2013 Paramount won’t be giving any wings to a planned It’s a Wonderful Life sequel. A studio spokeswoman said Wednesday that Paramount would fight the proposed follow-up to the 1946 holiday classic starring Jimmy Stewart as George Baily, a desperate family man who imagines what his town would be like if he’d never been born. Star Partners and Hummingbird Productions announced plans Monday to create a sequel titled It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story. “No project relating to It’s a Wonderful Life can proceed without a license from Paramount,” the studio said in a statement. “To date, these individuals have not obtained any of the necessary rights, and we would take all appropriate steps to protect those rights.” Farnsworth and Star Partners president Allen J. Schwalb did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Farnsworth previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the property’s rights were in the public domain. While a lapsed copyright led TV stations in the 1970s, ’80s, and early ’90s to repeatedly broadcast It’s a Wonderful Life, Paramount has controlled the rights for the past 14 years, after the studio acquired Republic Pictures as part of its acquisition of Spelling Entertainment in 1999. Paramount has since licensed It’s a Wonderful Life to NBC, which airs it sparingly during the holiday season. http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/11/2...l-controversy/

11-21-2013, 04:48 PM	#15
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,487	Why is "It's a Wonderful Life" rarely on TV? http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...ce_a_year.html The holiday movie used to be on television all the time. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#VuL4h2GuGUrG0X0R.99