Underwhelming Super Bowl ad (and best-left-unmentioned direct-to-DVD spin-off starring Randy Quaid) aside, the "National Lampoon's Vacation" series remains one of modern comedy's classics. Whatever you may think of Chevy Chase these days -- still a fan over here, and always will be -- the "Saturday Night Live" veteran certainly left his mark with a number of early roles, including suburban Illinois resident Clark W. Griswold.
Well New Line is planning what Variety reports to be a "reboot" of the series, with the focus now on the younger male Griswold, Rusty, who has been played by five different actors over the years: Anthony Michael Hall ("Vacation"), Jason Lively ("European Vacation"), Johnny Galecki ("Christmas Vacation"), Ethan Embry ("Vegas Vacation") and, most recently, Travis Greer ("Hotel Hell Vacation" short film produced by HomeAway). The reboot, which really sounds like more of a down-the-road sequel, will be written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (yup, the kid from "Freaks and Geeks"). This confirms the news that popped up late last year about potential plans for a return to the series.
None of the cast has been confirmed yet, but Variety reports that the intention is to have Chase and Beverly D'Angelo, who plays wife Ellen Griswold, return as grandparents. The story will follow a grown-up Rusty as he sets out on the road with his own family for a visit to Wally World, which will soon close its doors for good.
The report goes on to state that the movie will be "closer in tone" to the Steve Martin/John Candy-starring comedy "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" than earlier installments... whatever that means. The connection is by no means a bad thing; "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is hilarious, a classic that falls right alongside the original "Vacation" as one of the great road movies. But it just sort of comes out of nowhere, doesn't it?
What do you think-- is more "Vacation" a good thing? Can the series go on without Chevy Chase as the focus? Who should play Rusty this time?
** FOLLOW MTV MOVIES BLOG ON TWITTER! **