On the heels of the long-awaited "Anchorman" sequel, Atlanta has pulled yet another comedy sequel with some serious cult cred. The 1983 classic "National Lampoon's Vacation" will shoot in the Atlanta area, the Georgia Film Office confirmed Wednesday. Filming dates have not been set, although news reports suggest June.
Ed Helms, also from the Atlanta and a Westminster graduate, has already been announced to play Rusty Griswold, according to IMDB and multiple news reports. Rusty Griswold, of course, was originally played by Anthony Michael Hall and was the son of Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase in what was maybe his signature role (sorry, Fletch). Clark Griswold took his family on an event-filled cross-country trip to Wally World. The movie sparked sequels "European Vacation"(1985) and "Christmas Vacation" (1989).
Christina Applegate, in town filming the aforementioned "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," is rumored to also be on board, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Applegate starred in the Atlanta-filmed "Hall Pass," as well.
According to the Reporter, the new film follows Rusty "as he takes his family on a road trip similar to the one he and his parents and sister took when he was young."
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein ("Horrible Bosses") will write and direct the film. In an interview with Collider.com, the writing partners confirmed the movie, the dates, and the setting, and also mentioned they are in conversations to score some of the original actors from the 1983 film, including Hall, Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid.
In addition to Atlanta, New Mexico is listed as a film location, according to IMDB. In addition to "Anchorman 2," the Atlanta area and Georgia have been the site of numerous films, including "Prisoners," "The Internship," and the new "Hunger Games" sequel.