If you’d have told me before arriving at CinemaCon that one of the films I’d be raving about after the convention would be the new Vacationmovie, I would not have believed you. But after watching the insanely funny red-band trailer for the upcoming comedy during the Warner Bros. panel (which will be online in early May), I’m completely sold. If you’re not aware, Vacation marks the directorial debut of Horrible Bosses scribes John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein and stars Ed Helms as a grown up Rusty Griswold, who opts to take his own family on a vacation that goes horribly wrong. Christina Applegate plays Rusty’s wife, Leslie Mann is his sister Audrey, and Chris Hemsworth plays Audrey’s up-and-coming anchorman husband, marking the Thor actor’s first big foray into comedy. Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo also make cameos reprising their roles as the elder Griswolds. Vacation opens in theaters July 31st.
Shortly before the WB panel I spoke with John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein backstage. They talked about what they learned from the test screening process, wanting to pay homage to the original movie but also wanting to make the story their own, getting Mark Mothersbaugh to compose the score, where they’re at in post-production, and more.
Here’s the interview followed by a time index of the conversation:
John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein:
- What are they premiering at CinemaCon?
- :25 – How a tweaked version of the red band trailer will be online first week of May.
- :45 – What have they learned from the test screening process and how has it done?
- 1:30 – How I’ve heard the script is great so how did they crack it? They talk about wanting to pay homage but also wanting to make the story their own.
- 2:40 – Have they finished post production?
- 2:45 – Soundtrack talk. They reveal Mark Mothersbaugh is the composer on the film.
- 3:15 – Are they using any of the classic songs from the original movie?
- 3:50 – How long was their first cut and how long is it now?
