Tim Allen’s “The Santa Clause”: Live From E! Rewind
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
And to help you get even more into the festive spirit, we’re looking back on one of our favorite holiday movies: The Santa Clause.
Since its release in 1994, The Santa Clause has been an instant classic. However, what most people don’t know is that the film almost didn’t star Tim Allen. At the time, producers were hesitant he could lead a box office movie since he was mainly known for his hit television series, Home Improvement. But could you imagine the film with Mel Gibson, Bill Murray or any other actor?
What’s more? Back in 2018, he revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show that the original script wasn’t as light-hearted. Instead, he claimed it featured a dark storyline, one in which Santa Claus was involved in a violent death. Yes, you read that right. Not exactly the Kris Kringle you know and love.
We’re just scratching the surface about the holiday classic, which gifted us with two film sequels and a Disney+ TV series, The Santa Clauses, which recently debuted its second season. So before you snuggle up in your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and warm up some hot chocolate—made by 4,000 year old Judy, of course—to rewatch The Santa Clause, read through the film’s 25 secrets below…
Moviestore/Shutterstock
1. The original name of the movie was Such a Clatter.
2. Other actors considered for the role of Scott Calvin/Santa Claus were major stars like Tom Hanks and Mel Gibson, according to an interview first-time film director John Pasquin gave on the Grunt Work podcast. And it was Bill Murray who was reportedly the top candidate. But after starring in the Christmas classic comedy Scrooged, Murray ”had no interest in pursuing another holiday-themed project,” shared Pasquin.
3. But producers weren’t totally sold on Tim Allen despite Home Improvement‘s wild popularity. In a 2011 episode of Biography screenwriters Steve Rudnick and Leo Benvenuti shared that producers claimed Allen ”can’t open a movie, he’s a TV star.”
Walt Disney Pictures
4. Allen’s Home Improvement wife Patricia Richardson and Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton were considered for the role of Laura, but Wendy Crewson ultimately landed the role of Scott’s ex-wife.
4. Judge Reinhold nabbed the part of Laura’s spouse (and Scott’s nemesis) Neal Miller, though Jeff Daniels, Stanley Tucci, and Bradley Whitford were considered. He would go on to appear in all three films.
6. The hardest role to cast was Charlie, Scott’s son, as they were looking for a child actor between the ages of 6 and 9, “who had sensitivity” casting director Renee Rousselot shared and was “able to really access those emotions, but have a real innocence about him.” The production team launched open auditions in 13 different cities before finding Eric Lloyd.
