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Executive producer Sam Haskell, Ben Lawson as John Walton, Bellamy Young as Olivia Walton, Christian Finlayson as Jason Walton, Richard Thomas, Logan Shroyer as John Boy Walton, Tatum Sue Matthews as Erin Walton, Marcelle LeBlanc as Mary Ellen Walton, Samuel Goergon Jim Bob Walton, Callaway Corrick as Elizabeth Walton and director Lev L. Spiro.
From September 1972 to June 1981, families gathered around their televisions to watch the story of one family – the Waltons. The series covered the era of depression and World War II. Although there were difficult times, this TV family brought real families together for a warm hour each week. Sure, they had their problems and disagreements, but at the heart of the show was their love, appreciation, respect and generosity for each other and for others. In 1971, a movie, “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” brought the Walton family to viewers. The movie was so popular that it brought the series.
Now, 40 years after it ended, a new Walton family is appearing on the small screen in “The Waltons’ Homecoming”. If the cast and executive producer Sam Haskell have anything to say about it, this movie will lead to a new series.
Richard Thomas played the oldest Walton in the series, introduced the new film and narrated it. He said, “It is a story of human kindness, compassion and love. It’s a family story, a family called the Waltons. “
The cast and Haskell met virtually with the media to discuss the show, their past and what they hope to be the future of this beloved family.
Shortly afterwards, Thomas was asked if he was the mentor of Logan Shroyer, who takes on the role of John Boy.
I did not say anything about what to do, I just said, ‘Have fun, have fun and make it your own.’ And he certainly did. I mean, I think it’s a beautiful achievement. I love, I love his performance, but I would be the last person in the world to give advice, to another actor to play a role. Because you can only be yourself and make it your own, and that he has done very well. “So I’m really proud.”
Fans of the series will notice Ben’s character – or at least his absence from the film. As Haskell has admitted, this is due to the time constraints on playing a movie. If it turns out, the executive producer plans to bring back all the family members. There are also some differences between this TV movie and the original series. That is, grandparents do not live in the same house. And speaking of home, what we all know and love no longer stands.
“It was in the back here at Warner Brothers and it no longer exists and we shot in Atlanta because of the tax incentives and, on the business side, The Waltons Homecoming. And we tried to find a house as close as we could that had the top floor, because I knew I wanted to finish it by saying goodnight to moms and dads for a Merry Christmas, of course. “And we wanted to try to honor the family,” Haskell said.
And if this movie is the catalyst for a new series or another movie, Haskell added, “I want to bring in each original cast as a guest star to play a teacher or a nurse or a doctor, or I want to incorporate the original cast in the series and the upcoming film. “
“The Waltons’ Homecoming” premieres Monday at the CW. It reflects the same warm and fuzzy tones as the original series and is a good family holiday movie. As they would say, “Merry Christmas, John Boy.”
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