Filming has begun on Revolution Studios’ Christmas with the Kranks, a comedy directed by Revolution Studios Founder Joe Roth and starring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd, it was announced today. The film, which is based on the John Grisham best seller Skipping Christmas, will be released by Columbia Pictures on November 24, 2004.
The screenplay for Christmas with the Kranks was written by Chris Columbus, the director of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, to name a few. Columbus is also producing the film for Revolution Studios with his partners at 1492 Pictures, Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe. Revolution Studios’ Charles Newirth is serving as executive producer, along with Bruce A. Block.
In Christmas with the Kranks, Tim Allen plays Luther Krank, a man who decides to skip Christmas and all the surrounding trappings and go on a vacation with his wife Nora (Curtis) instead. But when his daughter decides at the last minute to come home for the holiday, he is forced to put Christmas back together.
“I worked with Chris on the first two ‘Home Alone’ films and with Tim on ‘The Santa Clause,’ all of which were tremendously enjoyable and successful experiences,” said Roth. “I am delighted to be reuniting with them and working with Jamie Lee Curtis, one of our most versatile and gifted performers, on this wonderful and funny story.”
The cast is rounded out by Erik Per Sullivan (television’s Malcolm in the Middle, Finding Nemo, Unfaithful), Cheech Marin (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Spy Kids, Tin Cup), Jake Busey (Identity, Enemy of the State, Starship Troopers) and M. Emmet Walsh (Snow Dogs, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Blade Runner).
