With the first trailer for Home Sweet Home Alone having just dropped, there are hidden references and characters scattered throughout that nod to previous Home Alone movies. Although the first two Home Alone films are the most remembered, Home Sweet Home Alone is actually the sixth installment in the franchise, meaning there are a lot of possible returning characters. And it’s easy to forget that the classic McCallister family hasn’t been seen since 1992. With the latest movie clearly sharing the same world as the originals, here’s a look at where all the major characters were last seen and whether it’s possible they’ll return.
What Happened to Kevin McCallister in Home Alone?
Everyone knows Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, but many forget that Home Alone 4 featured an all-new Kevin McCallister played by young Mike Weinberg. As this version of Kevin was seen as a reboot — and not very popular with audiences– it’s very likely Home Sweet Home Alone won’t be making any reference to it.
As for Macauley Culkin’s character, however, he was last seen at the end of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York reunited with his family at his hotel. It’s assumed he heads back to their house in Chicago, and what happens to Kevin after that is left unknown. And while fans hope they’ll bring back Kevin for a cameo, Culkin recently tweeted, “Hey y’all. Just a heads up since I’ve been getting this question a lot today: I am NOT in the new Home Alone reboot.” While this sounds pretty final and convincing, actors often aren’t allowed to disclose if they’re in a movie, so maybe there’s still a slither of hope.
Home Alone’s Harry and Marv Could Wiggle Out of Prison Again
With the classic duo managing to make their way to freedom in Home Alone 2, it’s not out of the question that they could be free once again. When Harry Lyme and Marv Murchins were last seen, they had rebranded from the Wet Bandits to the Sticky Bandits and had the unfortunate luck of bumping into Kevin McCallister once more. After taking their usual beating, Harry and Marv were caught by the police and taken into custody.
While Home Sweet Home Alone features all-new robbers, there’s nothing to stop the Sticky Bandits from making an appearance after another prison breakout, having served their time, or even appearing as wanted men on the news.
More of the McCallister Family Could Return in Home Sweet Home Alone
Much like Kevin, the whole McCallister family was last seen celebrating Christmas in their New York hotel. Not only do they have the potential to return, but the Home Sweet Home Alone trailer features one of the family. Actor Devin Ratray, who played older brother Buzz McCallister in the first two movies, returns as a police officer on the scene. And with a close-up of his “McCallister” name tag, it’s more than just an actor cameo.
With Buzz returning, he’ll likely reference the previous films and other family members. In the opening of Home Alone, there’s a look into just how large the McCallister family is, so there’s a wide range of potential characters to return. And many of the original performers are still involved in acting, including John Heard and Catherine O’Hara, who played the McCallister parents.
Alex Pruitt Also Got a Happy Ending in Home Alone 3
Home Alone 3 was released five years after the second film, featuring an entirely new cast of characters and actors. This big change, as well as the classic house robbers being replaced with international spies, was not received well by audiences. While it’s not even known if Home Alone 3 shares the same universe as the originals, given that there’s nothing connecting them, Disney could still acknowledge the existence of the film.
Replacing Kevin McCallister, actor Alex D. Linz played Alex Pruitt, the next young boy to be left home alone. And with another happy ending, Alex reunites with his family in Chicago, the same area as the McCallister family. While seeing Alex return may not be the cameo fans are asking for, it would still be nice for the actor to finally have some recognition for the role.
Home Sweet Home Alone premieres on Disney+ Nov. 12.
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