20th Century FoxAnyone who grew up in the nineties wanted Mrs. Doubtfire to cook their dinners and read them bedtime stories.
Robin Williams’ beloved dad-turned-nanny, Daniel Hilliard, entered the hearts of critics and audiences in disguise and remains firmly placed in cinema history 23 years later.
Williams’ trademark comedic styling perfectly played out Christopher Columbus’s heart-breaking script that narrated a lovable family’s struggle to get to grips with the fallout of divorce.
20th Century FoxMany people believe the film worked well a stand alone story that ended with a happy resolution for the Hilliard family, so you might be surprised to hear that a sequel was considered by Williams who said he’d be happy to create a follow up film for the character of Daniel, according to film oracle, Looper.
A Mrs. Doubtfire sequel was first proposed to Columbus in the early 2000s, Looper explains:
…But neither he nor Williams were pleased with the concept. Actress Bonnie Hunt, whom Williams had starred with in 1995’s Jumanji, reportedly wrote a script for the would-be sequel, but Williams dropped out of the project in 2006, saying, ‘If it’s not done right it’s not worth doing’.
Williams’ concerns were echoed by some of the original cast members too.
20th Century FoxMara Wilson, who played the intrepid little Natalie, made it clear she would not be involved in any sequel and despite being very proud of her part to pay in Mrs. Doubtfire, the young actress tweeted the film ‘ended where it needed to end’.
Lisa Jakub, who played eldest daughter Lydia, put it well when she told The Huffington Post:
I’m in the same boat as a lot of other people. I’m kind of wondering how they’re going to come up with a story line that’s going to do the project justice. But I feel like if anybody can come with something that is both hilarious and also very meaningful, it’s going to be this team.
Jakub’s expectations were not met, however and concerns about the message Mrs. Doubtfire conveyed about the transgender community tarnished the chances of a franchise.
20th Century FoxThe film’s slapstick sense of humour was criticised within some circles for propagating certain myths about trans people and no doubt a sequel would have been unpopular with the LGBTQ community.
However, a second script attempt had gained steam, according to Columbus, who told Entertainment Weekly that ‘somebody came up with a really interesting idea’ so he and Williams ‘agreed to develop a script’.
He added that his conversation with Williams about the subject was actually his last ever chat with the actor, saying:
That was the last time I saw Robin, sadly, when we were talking about the sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire.
It will definitely never happen now.
Amid Williams’ reluctance to return to Hollywood and a long term battle with depression and Lewy body dementia, the 63-year-old screen acting legend committed suicide in 2014.
Williams’ magic was the key ingredient in making Mrs. Doubtfire a firm family favourite. It is only right that his work be remembered and respected and left to be enjoyed for generations to come.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.