Director Chris Columbus said actor Chevy Chase was so disrespectful to him that he quit 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” after he’d begun filming it.
The world is rife with people having beef with the “difficult” Chase, but Columbus’ “Christmas” tale is over the top.
In an interview with Vanity Fair posted Tuesday, Columbus recalled first meeting Chase after second-unit shooting had already begun in Chicago.
“Even given my situation at the time, where I desperately needed to make a film, I realized I couldn’t work with the guy,” Columbus said. “I was one of the many who couldn’t work with him.”
It took two meetings with the former “Saturday Night Live” star to seal his decision.
“He had to know I was directing the movie,” Columbus told the magazine. “I talked about how I saw the movie, how I wanted to make the movie. He didn’t say anything. I went through about a half hour of talking. He didn’t say a word. And then he stops and he says — and this makes no sense to any human being on the planet, but I’m telling you. I probably have never told this story. Forty minutes into the meeting, he says, ‘Wait a second. You’re the director?’ And I said, ‘Yeah … I’m directing the film.’ And he said to me the most surreal, bizarre thing. I still haven’t been able to make any sense out of it. He said, ‘Oh, I thought you were a drummer.’”
Columbus said he tried to veer the weird exchange back to a discussion about the film, but after 30 seconds Chase declared, “I got to go.”
(Readers noted that the drummer remark may have been a reference to jazz percussionist Chris Columbus) amid a possible hazing of the director by Chase.
The second encounter resulted in about the same amount of communication, Columbus said.
“I thought, ‘There’s no way I can make a movie with this guy. First of all, he’s not engaged. He’s treating me like shit. I don’t need this. I’d rather not work again. I’d rather write.’”
Columbus fared just fine afterward. John Hughes, who wrote “Christmas Vacation,” sent him his screenplay for “Home Alone” (1990), and Columbus helped make it a holiday classic. He also directed “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) and some of the “Harry Potter” movies.
He’s currently promoting the new “Nosferatu,” which he produced.
Getty
We Need Your Support
Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.
Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
HuffPost did not immediately hear back in a request for comment from a listed rep for Chase.
)
)
English (US) ·