12 Movie Sequels That Luckily Didn't Happen
5. It's A Wonderful Life: The Rest Of The Story
It's A Wonderful Life is one the greatest films ever made, a family favourite and a modern Christmas staple. In 2013, nearly seventy years after the original was released, a sequel was pitched and quickly scrapped as a bad idea. What could possibly live up to George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) running down the street wishing everyone a merry Christmas?
The film would have followed the grandson of Zuzu (Jimmy Stewart's philosophical daughter in the original) as he is visited by his grandmother. Zuzu would be played once more than Karolyn Grimes, and her return would see her guide her grandson on the path to becoming a better person. Basically, A Christmas Carol masquerading as another classic in a bid to gain views and make money.
The idea was quickly scrapped, but should never have been considered in the first place. Apparently, one factor in its scrapping the issue of ownership, as Paramount (who owned the rights to the original) threatened Star Partner Productions (who wanted to make the sequel) with legal action. It was binned before it came to this, however, and audiences have dodged a bullet because of it.