Will Ferris turn 40? It's up to Hollywood

Ferris Bueller fans, here's some amazing news: There is a finished script being shopped in Hollywood for a sequel to the 1986 teen classic.

Titled "Ferris Bueller 2: Another Day Off," the movie places Ferris on the eve of his 40th birthday. The script was written by Rick Rapier, a screenwriter based in Arizona. Rapier provided "Stuck in the '80s" with an exclusive and complete copy of the 106-page script.

Is it good? I thought it was a blast. I read it in a single afternoon and was impressed with the care Rapier took with the original story and characters. The story has the same feel, humor and pace as the 1986 movie, which should please hard-core Ferris fans. (Click here and click here to read two full scenes from the script)

The movie fast-forwards Ferris' life about 20 years. In the years since high school, Ferris has turned his carefree "Life Moves Pretty Fast" motto into a motivational self-help career -- think Tony Robbins, only with a beret and sweater vest. His best friend Cameron is still at his side, managing his massive business.

But despite his phenomenal success, Ferris is a bit distracted on his 40th birthday (which, considering his massive fame, is being watched on pay-per-view TV by millions of devoted fans). He decides to take the day off, sending Cameron, his business associates and family into a frenzy.

Rapier says he hopes John Hughes would direct the movie and all the actors would return to reprise their original roles, including Matthew Broderick ("Ferris), Alan Ruck ("Cameron") and Jeffrey Jones ("Ed Rooney"). And what are the characters all up to now?

• Ferris' sister Jeannie (Jennifer Grey) is married to the boy she met in the police station (Charlie Sheen).
• No longer a school administrator, Rooney is still stalking Ferris for revenge.
• The economics teacher played by Ben Stein now is an airline gate representative.
• Ferris' girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) is a Hollywood star going through a rough marriage.

Can the movie be made? Right now, that's completely up to Hollywood. Rapier says several players in the movie business have read the script, with various reactions. One executive who passed on the script said he didn't like the idea that Ferris was profiting from his persona, Rapier said.

The big questions are whether Hughes can be talked into returning the director's chair and whether a studio will take a chance on a script from a relatively unknown writer. Personally, I think the Ferris legacy is too tempting to resist. (Movie bloggers and critics say otherwise -- read their reactions.)

Come on, Hollywood. Take the chance. After all, as our hero says, "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Check this out:

• A Q&A with screenwriter Rick Rapier.
• Here's what the soundtrack would include
• Read a scene from the movie
• The critics react to the sequel idea

Comments

[Someone in Hollywood]

This article is irresponsible and just plain ludicrous.

I'm a professional in the entertainment industry, 2nd generation in fact and why someone would post this article only goes to show just how ignorant the author is to the comings an goings of Hollywood.

FYI - About once a year, maybe more, some writer approaches John Hughes through his agent at William Morris to do a Ferris sequel. This has been happening pretty much since the movie was released. Now imagine who would have the clout to get the script to this agent and you have to realize that it's somebody much more established then some hick from Arizona who literally just said "I've got an idea, it's round and you can put it under things to move them...what should I call it...I KNOW THE WHEEL!" Schmuck.

If you have any sense at all you will take down this article and publish an apology to Mr. Hughes.

[The Lunchbox]

They could get the ska band "Save Ferris" for the soundtrack.

[Pam from Rochester NY]

Done right, this could be okay. Key word "right."

Let's hope to god no one decides to make this '80s movie into a musical (a la Footloose).

[A]

Grew up in the 80's .....LOVED IT! Big Ferris fans in this household and would Love to see Ferris return! Can Ferris still sing, Shake It Up Baby.

[Jax Hill]

Sounds like a great idea! Ferris and I grew up together, so I would love to see how he is handling what we'll call "young middle age."

[debbie]

I would love to see Ferris at 40!!!! I always hoped that they would make a sequel.

[Eric]

You simply could not have a better, more sure-fire winner than this! Come on, Hollywood, hit the Greenlight!

[Mike C]

It's about time!! Steve, if the script is a "Blast" as you reported, and the writer was true to the original characters - I don't know how it wouldn't be sucessful. This is long overdue and I think fans want to know how Ferris made it through life. (Think Tony Robbins?) Brilliant! I doubt there is another career path we would have believed. Sounds like this has been done right and this will be a blockbuster!

[Douglas Arthur]

I'm not sure "hit" is the right word, though it probably rhymes with it! I agree with Brad. Even if you can get all the planets to align, I just don't see how it can be any good and capture that original "magic" again. I don't see what motivation Matthew Broderick has to reprise this role right now either. Hey. remember Hook? How great that idea sounded...to see Peter Pan all grown up and Speilberg directing with Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook?? Can't miss, right?? maybe not so much.

As Porky's/Christmas Story director once so elequently posed in an early film: "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things"

Leave well enough alone, I say.

[Dawn Sample]

I love Ferris Bueller! I just watched it again last week and I still laugh as much as I did the first time I saw it. Another Ferris movie, if made well, would definately be something I would go see!

[Hamptune]

Brad, agree again. Given Hollywood's track record of sequels, just leave well enough alone. Write your own script to what happens to all the characters...

[Spiky Sandy]

All I can say is that I'm twisting and shouting right now!

[Ted H.]

Yes! Get this thing made!! I cracked up just at the idea, not knowing any of the particulars (and that's the easiest type of movie to market/sell!). Just about every 40-something guy I know (and gals too, but I don't know as many!) would check this out, even if only out of curiosity. So get this thing made! Come on Steve, use some of your muscle and connections to make it happen. I pity the poor studio exec who passed on this, cause this has "hit" written all over it. Now go!

[Brad]

Wow.

Hamptune and I are clearly in the minority here. Don't get me wrong - I love Ferris Bueller, quote it frequently, and have been known to drive friends past the house that was used as the exterior for the Bueller residence.

That said, I really think this project has "train wreck" written all over it.

How are you going to convince the original cast to come back? They know (just like you do, in your heart of hearts) that Ferris Bueller's Day Off was lightning in a bottle. Why mess with the legacy? To me this is an "all or nothing" proposition.

Forget the cast for a minute - John Hughes directing? Umm, he hasn't been behind the camera since Curly Sue in 1991. Would the hip sensibility that decorated Ferris' room, provided the soundtrack, and gave us the amazing montage scene in the Art Institute still be fresh enough to fill another movie with a sets and soundtrack without being just another nostalgia rehash? Remember, this is the guy who seems to be paying the bills lately writing Beethoven sequels (yes, the big dog movies) - and from the look of basic cable listings, residual checks from Pretty In Pink re-airings.

And what of the plot? Granted I haven't seen the treatment, but who and /or what would the big antagonist be? It's easy to create a nemesis for a high school kid - they are beholden to a host of greater powers. Who are you going to throw at an adult smooth-talking Ferris? Who can hope to match up to that? "Jeannie - I just heard that Ferris is on the no-fly list..." It has to be big (aliens? the Illuminati?) or you lessen the Power of Ferris.

Could it be great? Could it be amazing? Could it give us another sip - maybe not from the fountain of youth, but from the water fountain next to it? Sure, it might. But if I were you, rather than sitting around waiting for it, I'd call in sick tomorrow and go have yourself a Day Off.

[Jennifer A]

Awesome!!! I love Ferris.....I can't get enough!! What exciting news....I do hope they decide to make it. I have been waiting for this for years....!!!!!!

[Al]

Whoops probably Rooney has been released by now.....my bad.

Time to cue up Nat King Cole's "I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons),"

And as always, Save Ferris!

[Al]

Important questions below:

How the hell would they get Rooney in the movie though? He's a sex offender serving time.

And would John Hughes actually direct it?

And how would the soundtrack work? I don't want Nickelcrap or these new power-chord fake rock bands on it.....bring back the Dream Academy!

All important questions that would have to be answered in the affirmative, in order for this sequel to work.

Until then, Ferris 2 is eerily similar to the new Van Halen tour. Until the lights go out and Diamond Dave dodges Eddie's flamethrower for 2 hours....well, I guess I'm the doubting Thomas here in '80's land.

Nice scoop Steve, that's why you're the newsman.

[Timi]

I think this is a great idea.

[Spears]

No mention of the clarinet in the script. Ferris is humming an Englebert Humperdink song now. And yes, Sloane is still very, very hot.

[BME]

Sounds like a great idea! I can't wait to see it made. I think I'd like to see what all of the characters are up to. Is Sloane still hot? Does Ferris still play the clarinet?

[DC]

Sounds like a great movie idea. I loved the Ferris character and the free-flow feel of the movie; I think it was Hughes's best effort.
The idea that Ferris now has a 'self-help' business fits perfectly with his benign con-man persona. We all know that he must have had some bumps along the way and it would really entertaining to see how Ferris has maintained and expanded his personal philosophy.

[Maureen]

Ferris Bueller was a great movie. And it's survived the times. Everyone loves to reminisce a time when movies were just fun. Now my teenage son loves the original movie. Bring it on. Why remake all these movies when you have fresh, new script ideas! Make it now...it will be the hit of Summer 2008!!!

[John Brook]

I can't believe we've waited this long for a sequel. It's definitely time for this one...what a great movie.

[James H]

I'd go see it in the theater and buy the DVD to match my copy of the original Ferris! Fave scene from the first one -- Ed Rooney and Grace on the phone with Cameron. I still laugh at that one ...

[John Haley]

I think the concept is great and the movie should be made. I would for sure see it and hope that maybe they needed an extra... Smart guy

[N8]

Nice.
I like the idea even though Hollywood bites at making sequels. Usually they take a lame but lucrative movie (Bill and Ted’s Excellent) and don’t even try to improve it (Bill and Ted’s Bogus). Or they take a great movie and just bash out a sequel for money (Ghostbusters 1 & 2). But I think this one could fall into the third category – sequels that work. The movie would be filled with characters that we care about and it has premise that is pretty plausible. I think the executive that said Ferris wouldn’t profit from his own persona was way off. Really think about of the character, he wouldn’t be volunteering with Green Peace or teaching a bunch of 5th graders. The guy would be selling Lincoln Navigators or some other job which requires very little work but lots of people skills. Like a motivational speaker… or a movie exec. Well, maybe not a movie exec.

[Brock]

Done right, with all the original players back...this movies would be HUGE!! Imagine all the dads scrambling to Best Buy to grab a copy of the first movie (if they don't already own it like I do)to get their kids Buellerized for the sequel? I think there's lots of money to be made from both a retail and box-office perspective. I wish I had come up with the idea for this script...

[Kris]

Ferris still had a lot to learn in the last movie! How much fun would it be to see him now....and how he spends another day off at age 40!! "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." EXACTLY!! I'd love to see this movie!

[Conrad]

This is a great idea that is long overdue! Hope to see it soon! Theme, pace, and humor are key to the entertainment value. I would hope for the life message sound bite too a la "life moves pretty fast - you better stop and enjoy it once in a while"....

[Michael]

Fantastic. Loved the first one and would love to see a second. The premise sounds great. Hopefully I'll be going to see this movie next year!!!

[Marissa]

AWESOME! I think it's a fabulous idea. I always wonder what happens after the credits roll and the angst filled teens grow up. What a perfect way to bring the 80s into this century. My son think Ferris Bueller's Day off is hysterical. I bought the DVD for my teen age nephew. I think we could all use another dose of Ferris!! Bring it on, Hollywood!

[Dherschell]

Great idea. The original is a classic that keeps on shining. I watched it the other day and will do so for many years. I think there is still enough of us stuck in the eighties that would definitely appreciate seeing our inspiration, who made it big, take a day off for the rest of us.
I hope to see this one out soon.

[Brad]

I hate it already.

[Kitty B]

I LOVED the first Ferris film! I've probably watched it two dozen times, and I'd love to see this new idea in a film. And Ferris wouldn't be Ferris if he wasn't doing his own thing, so I disagree with the idea that he should be a "regular" guy. No, he should be FERRIS and then find out he's still got things to learn in life. How awesome! I hope it happens!

[Joe Gunsten]

One of the best things to come out of the 80s (besides the mullet) was Ferris Bueller. Actually, one of the few movies I could sit with and enjoy with my dad that didn't have a World War II theme. I've wondered a few times myself what a sequal would have Ferris doing. Self motivational speaker makes perfect sense. Let's all hope this one gets made!

[Yvonne Donaldson]

I would love to see Ferris turn 40! That was a great movie. For that one who said he didn't like seeing Ferris make money off his persona - Psh. It fits Ferris perfectly. He is definitely not one to have a normal job where he's got another "Rooney" telling him what to do. I love that he's still doing his own thing, inspiring others to do their own thing!

[chase]

Wow, Steve, nice score, interesting as heck. Not sure I like the idea of Ferris being famous and motivational and all ... I kind of pictured (opening voiceover): "I don't know how it happened. It's been 20 years since my last day off. It's funny how love and life and kids and a mortgage can rearrange priorities. Life's moved pretty fast, I feel like I'm missing it. I'm Ferris Beuller. It seems like only yesterday, I had the world by the short and curlys. What the heck happened. I need a day off ...." and boom, into the music, Ferris Beuller stuck in the middle of a traffic jam, gets out of his car (a la Falling Down), walks across the median and in the distance, you see an amusement park just cranking up for the day ....

Hey why not post what the stars are doing now in "real life" as well ... Let's see, Broderick is on Broadway, Sheen on TV, Ruck on the B list, Somebody put Grey in a corner, and Jones, why, look, he's on a sex offender list ... :-)

[Hamptune]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!