“The Family Stone” is getting a sequel.
Director and writer Thomas Bezucha confirmed to CNN Wednesday that he’s working on a follow-up to the 2005 holiday classic following star Diane Keaton’s death.
Keaton played Stone family matriarch Sybil, who dies of cancer by the film’s end.
Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ty Giordano, Savannah Stehlin, Elizabeth Reaser, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Brian White in “The Family Stone.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I’ve been haunted by the loss of Sybil for months now while I worked on it, and so this was a blow on a tender bruise already,” Bezucha, 61, told CNN.
“Mentally, I’ve been spending time in that house where I’ve been missing her for a while already,” the filmmaker added.
Thomas Bezucha attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2024. Getty Images
Diane Keaton in an Instagram photo. Instagram/@diane_keaton
Bezucha explained that, in the wake of Keaton’s passing at age 79, he wants to “honor her even more” and “do a good job by the rest of the cast” with the sequel.
“The Family Stone,” which follows a New England family’s chaotic Christmas gathering, featured an ensemble cast made up of Keaton, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Reaser, Claire Danes, Tyrone Giordano, Rachel McAdams, Brian White and Paul Schneider.
Diane Keaton in “The Family Stone.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker in “The Family Stone.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bezucha told CNN that he wants the entire surviving original cast to return for the sequel.
“I’m not interested in the Brady family reunion without the original Jan,” he said.
Mulroney, who played Sybil’s oldest son, Everett, recently confirmed to The Post that there have been talks about “The Family Stone 2.”
“Is there any discussion about making a follow-up? Yes,” the actor said. “That’ll be the answer that I leave as brief.”
Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton in “The Family Stone.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dermot Mulroney in his interview with The Post. New York Post
Keaton died of pneumonia on October 11. The beloved actress kept her health battle a secret from the public.
After Keaton’s death, her “Family Stone” co-stars mourned her in emotional social media tributes.
“Diane Keaton has been a point of inspiration for countless actresses. I include myself among those who loved and admired her,” said Parker, 60, who also worked with Keaton in “First Wives Club.”
Thomas Bezucha, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Keaton at “The Family Stone” premiere in 2005. FilmMagic
I will cherish those memories on set as well her touching, delightful and perfectly own cinematic career,” the “Sex and the City” star added. “Which is a gorgeous legacy of an exquisite person.
Nelson, 81, said in his own statement, “I cannot express my sadness over hearing of Diane Keaton’s passing. I enjoyed so much working with her on ‘The Family Stone,’ ‘Book Club’ and ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter.’ Being in the presence of her brilliance, wonderful smile and laughter is something I will always remember.”
Diane Keaton at the American Film Institute’s 45th Life Achievement Award Gala in 2017. Getty Images
Diane Keaton attends New York Fashion Week 2023. GC Images
In his interview with The Post, Mulroney said Keaton’s death “broke us all up.”
“I had lunch with Tom Bezucha the week before,” he shared. “So we spoke so much about Diane. Even then, I didn’t know that she was going to go so soon.”
“She’d just been on my lips a few days before,” Mulroney added. “So it really impacted me.”
