Home Alone 2 director reveals how Trump secured a cameo
Released in 1992, the sequel to the holiday classic Home Alone, titled Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, continues to captivate audiences with its heartwarming story and humor.
The film takes viewers on another adventure with the lovable troublemaker Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film is known for its festive spirit, clever plot twists, and an unforgettable cameo that adds an unexpected layer of charm.
The story again follows Kevin McCallister (Culkin), who finds himself separated from his family, this time in the bustling city of New York during the Christmas season. Unbeknownst to Kevin, the notorious Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), have escaped from prison and are planning to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve. As Kevin navigates the challenges of being alone in the big city, he crosses paths with the eccentric toy store owner Duncan, played by Eddie Bracken, and has a chance encounter with the Plaza Hotel’s owner, former president, Donald Trump.
Home Alone 2 maintains the comedic elements that made its predecessor a hit. Culkin’s performance as Kevin showcases a perfect blend of innocence and resourcefulness. The film introduces new booby traps and pranks, showcasing Kevin’s knack for turning ordinary household items into creative defenses against the bumbling Wet Bandits. The physical comedy and slapstick humor contribute to the film’s enduring appeal across generations.
In an interview with Business Insider, Columbus shared that Trump, then the owner of New York’s Plaza Hotel, insisted on being included in the movie for the production team to use the hotel’s lobby as a shooting location. The interview was reprinted in The Hollywood Reporter.
Columbus explained, “We wanted to shoot in the lobby. We couldn’t rebuild The Plaza on a soundstage.” Typically, filmmakers would pay a fee to use a physical location, but Trump had a unique condition. “We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie,'”
Despite reservations, Columbus shot the scene, and the decision to include Trump wasn’t finalized until the movie was tested with an audience. To their surprise, the audience reacted positively, cheering when Trump appeared on-screen. Columbus recalled, “People cheered when Trump showed up on-screen. So I said to my editor, ‘Leave him in the movie. It’s a moment for the audience.’ But he did bully his way into the movie.”
The interview, dating back to 2020, also shed light on Columbus’s journey into directing the Home Alone films. He revealed that he took on the first film after withdrawing from shooting National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase due to a fraught situation. Columbus needed the job desperately after a previous film’s poor performance and thought he might never direct again.
Regarding the emotional depth in Home Alone, Columbus shared his proudest addition to the movie. He revealed, “I added the moment when Marley talked about not being able to see his granddaughter. I also added the very end of the movie when Kevin sees that Marley is reunited with his granddaughter. That is probably my proudest addition to the movie.”
Both Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are streaming on multiple platforms.
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