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- Who returns for the sequel and one notable absence
- Plot setup: grief, reunion, and a new romance
- Behind the camera: director and creative team
- Production timeline and where filming will happen
- Box office background and the original’s tone
- Jean Smart: recent roles and what this means for her career
- Searchlight’s slate and studio context
- Who’s overseeing the project at Searchlight
- Representation and additional credits
Jean Smart, riding the momentum of her fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, has signed on to a high-profile reunion. She will join the ensemble cast of The Families Stone, a sequel to the 2005 holiday favorite that brings nearly everyone back together.
Who returns for the sequel and one notable absence
The follow-up reunites the original ensemble for a new family gathering. Searchlight Pictures is behind the project.
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- Claire Danes
- Rachel McAdams
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Dermot Mulroney
- Craig T. Nelson
- Luke Wilson
- Tyrone Giordano
- Elizabeth Reaser
- Paul Schneider
- Brian White
Diane Keaton will not return. The article notes she died last October, and the film will address her absence within the story.
Plot setup: grief, reunion, and a new romance
The new story takes place two decades after the original film. The family reunites after the passing of Sybil Stone, Keaton’s character. The gathering becomes the center of tension and warmth.
Craig T. Nelson’s character makes an unexpected romantic reveal. He arrives with a new partner. Jean Smart is cast to play that woman.
Behind the camera: director and creative team
Tom Bezucha returns as writer-director. He led the first film and will steer the sequel.
- Bezucha’s previous films include Big Eden, Monte Carlo, and Let Him Go.
- He has directed TV episodes, including work on Fargo.
- Bezucha earned an Emmy nomination for his television work.
Production timeline and where filming will happen
Principal photography is set to start this fall in New York. The production plans to shoot on location in the state.
Producers attached to the project include:
- Michael London and Shannon Gaulding for Groundswell Productions
- Sarah Jessica Parker and Alison Benson for Pretty Matches Productions
Box office background and the original’s tone
The first film was a modest box-office success. It earned about $92 million worldwide after its 2005 release.
The original remains a seasonal favorite. It mixed a fish-out-of-water comedy with family drama. The story followed an uptight visitor who meets a quirky, judgmental clan.
Jean Smart: recent roles and what this means for her career
Smart returns to a mainstream ensemble on film after strong TV success. She won consecutive Emmys for her role on Hacks.
Recent and past credits mentioned include:
- 2022’s Babylon
- 2022’s Wildflower
- Garden State
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Upcoming: Egg Baby, a rom-com for Amazon MGM Studios
Her casting adds star power and a new dynamic to the Stone family.
Searchlight’s slate and studio context
Searchlight has a mixed 2026 release calendar so far. The studio released Ready Or Not 2 and Super Troopers 3 this year.
On the awards circuit, Searchlight recently premiered Wild Horse Nine at Telluride. The film has generated early Oscar talk for John Malkovich.
Who’s overseeing the project at Searchlight
Production oversight names attached to the film include:
- Taylor Friedman, SVP of Production
- Daniel Yu, Creative Executive
- DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas, Heads of Production and Development
Representation and additional credits
Jean Smart is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment.
The sequel reunites the cast and creative team to revisit a familiar holiday world. Fans can expect a mix of grief, humor, and family drama framed by a new romantic arc.
