There’s a lot of movies you could say we truly do not need. One of them would be a new installment in the Ernest P. Worrell series.
The movies, which spanned nine titles and starred Jim Varney as the simple and lovable character whose face often contorted into strange reactionary expressions, are considered to have high nostalgic appeal to many who grew up in the ’80s and early ’90s.
Now comes word that a company called Ruckusfilm is developing a new entry in the series, titled Son of Ernest.
Not much is known about the new movie yet apart from it centering on the long-lost son of Ernest. But not much else needs to be known; it’s safe to assume this long-lost son will be a replica of the Ernest character, and that he’ll get into lots of similar situations.
The Ernest character actually began as a TV commercial character in 1980, eventually moving on to a TV series and then the movies.
Dan Ewen will write the screenplay and also produce along with Clarke Gallivan, Coke Sams, and John Cherry. Cherry is one of the original creators of the character.
Of the announcement Ewen said:
“Ernest was this plucky little engine that could — against all odds. Ernest struck a nerve, one we’re going to revisit. We plan to honor the originals and Jim Varney while birthing a new chapter that lies somewhere between not sucking and Earth-shatteringly funny.”
It’s not yet known who they might cast for the lead, but early chats are underway to find that actor.
Varney, who passed away in 2000, also starred in The Beverly Hillbillies and voiced Slinky in Toy Story and Toy Story 2.
[Source: Variety]
