Nearly two decades after The Family Stone became a festive must-watch, it looks like it might be the latest film to receive the sequel treatment. Writer–director Thomas Bezucha has revealed he’s deep in the process of crafting a follow-up to the 2005 film — a return prompted as much by storytelling impulse as by nostalgia. Here's what we know so far.
What is it about?
While plot details are still under wraps, Bezucha has suggested that the story would once again orbit the Stone family home — a place that, in the director’s eyes, still holds unresolved echoes of its matriarch, Sybil (played by Diane Keaton). In the original film, Sybil’s illness and eventual passing formed the emotional backbone of the narrative. Bezucha has said he’s been sitting with that loss while developing the new script, envisioning a return that acknowledges both the character’s absence and the real-world passing of Keaton.
“I’ve been haunted by the loss of Sybil for months now while I worked on it, and so this was a blow on a tender bruise already,” Bezucha told CNN. “Mentally, I’ve been spending time in that house where I’ve been missing her for a while already.”
The sequel is expected to expand on the family’s life after Sybil, exploring how grief reshapes traditions, relationships and the rituals that once held them together.
Who would be involved?
At this stage, the film is still an idea, so no cast member has officially signed on. However, we can't imagine The Family Stone without the OG cast returning. Bezucha has similarly made it clear that he won’t move forward without the core ensemble, which included Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Luke Wilson and Craig T. Nelson.
When would it come out?
Because the project is still in development and not yet approved by Disney — which now owns the rights through its acquisition of 20th Century Fox — there’s no timeline for production or release. If it moves forward, the Stones could reunite in the coming years, bringing their signature mix of warmth, chaos and catharsis back to our screens. In the meantime, why not rewatch the original Christmas comfort film?
