The movie On Golden Pond has resonated with audiences for more than 30 years, and apparently the writer of the original script believes it’s time to write the sequel to being the story to an end. There were a number of loose ends not tied up at the end of the movie, allowing for a sequel that would bring closure to all parties involved.
For those unfamiliar with the original movie, there are a total of eight actors in the movie, including the one who was cast as “the boy on the jetty.” Of those eight, only five are living, so don’t expect the lead roles to be reprised. The movie starred the late Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, two actors who anyone familiar with Hollywood will tell you their talents are irreplaceable. Another dimension of the movie that may be difficult to duplicate is that Henry Fonda’s daughter, Jane, was cast as his daughter in the movie, creating a unique chemistry for the audience.
A sequel may be very appealing and profitable if the right combination of actors can be assembled. Jane Fonda will be 80 this year, but recasting her as a daughter 38 years later would be very difficult since the storyline is about an aging couple’s struggle with dementia and their relationship with their daughter. But Fonda could take the role that belonged to Katherine Hepburn, provided she was interested in starring in what might be her final Hollywood movie. Over the past 38 years the Baby Boomer population has aged as many years, so there should be plenty of interest from that demographic.
But this is the kind of sequel that will have a somber ending. It’s doubtful screenwriter Ernest Thompson will have any interest in prolonging the agony of Ethel and Norman Thayer, and their daughter Chelsea. It will likely be one of reconciliation, which would be a logical progression from the original movie that had as one of its subplots the strained relationship between Norman and Chelsea. But like the original, the sequel can still emphasize the underlying theme of hope in the midst of a family crisis. There are many kinds of closure, and potential viewers may connect to the movie on a personal level.
A positive note on making the sequel become a reality is that production costs would be very low, given there are only 4 or 5 principal actors in the movie. One possible thorny problem is that the original movie was shot in New Hampshire, but the nature of filmmaking and production has changed to the point that there may not be enough financial perks offered to the production company to make it worth their while. To be fair to the financiers, there is no guarantee that the movie will draw the type of interest necessary to make a significant profit. As a matter of history, the weekend sales of the original movie was only $3.8 million after opening in 537 theaters. In 2017 adjusted dollars that is just over $10 million. Hardly a profit that would interest most production companies.
It might be a potential TV movie project, but likely aired on cable as IPC/ITC own the rights to the movie.
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