Key Takeaways:
* Director Chris Columbus has no plans of making the sequel to the iconic 1993 family-comedy classic, Mrs. Doubtfire.
* Columbus stated that a sequel without lead actor Robin Williams, who tragically passed away in 2014, is impossible.
* Mrs. Doubtfire was a successful film that made $441.3 million against a minimal budget of $25 million.
* The director also mentioned that he has extensive footage of Robin Williams from the film, suggesting a potential documentary project.
Robin Williams and Mrs. Doubtfire: A Timeless Combination
Fans of the outstanding performer Robin Williams and the timeless family-comedy Mrs. Doubtfire were excited at the idea of a sequel. However, after Williams’ unfortunate death in 2014, director Chris Columbus abandoned the plan, stating that a sequel would be impossible without Williams.
Columbus, known for films like Harry Potter and Home Alone, formed an inseparable bond with Williams during the making of Mrs. Doubtfire. The two became close friends, spending most weekends together, and Columbus can’t imagine a sequel without the iconic actor.
The Initial Plan for Mrs. Doubtfire Sequel
The 1993 blockbuster, featuring Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan, was a grand success, earning $441.3 million against a budget of $25 million. The film encapsulated the journey of a divorced actor who, pretending to be an elderly woman, became his children’s housekeeper to stay close to them.
Following the film’s success, Columbus planned a sequel to this popular classic. He approached Williams with the script in 2014, and the late actor accepted it, but Williams’ untimely death later that year brought the project to a halt.
Columbus’s Last Conversation with Robin Williams
Columbus fondly remembers his last interaction with Williams about Mrs. Doubtfire 2. He acknowledges having a “great script” which Williams was prepared to work on. “And then, unfortunately, he passed away,” remembered a grief-stricken Columbus.
Celebratory Wins for Mrs. Doubtfire
The film’s immense popularity led it to bag an Academy Award for Best Makeup, a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy, and a Golden Globe for Robin Williams as the Best Actor in a Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy.
Remembering Williams: The Improvisation Master
The entertainment industry remembers Williams as a brilliant improviser. He frequently added his unique touch to the films, often continuing his performance until the film reel ended. Particularly during the filming of Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams would improvise so prolifically that Columbus was left with 972 boxes of extra footage equal to “2 million feet of film.”
Columbus filmed these spontaneous moments using four cameras to capture all the reactions. He admits that he treasures this raw footage and is considering making a documentary to reveal the magic of working with Williams.
No Scope for a Mrs. Doubtfire Sequel
Even though Fox/Disney owns the rights to Mrs. Doubtfire, Columbus is decidedly against the idea of a sequel without Williams. Although he acknowledges that the decision lies with the owners of the rights, he firmly believes that Mrs. Doubtfire 2 would not be the same without the beloved actor.
Fans of the original Mrs. Doubtfire film can revisit this endearing film, which is currently available for streaming on Disney+.
