An entire month's worth of work almost came to an end. The day that all the actors dreaded—the final shot was finally being taken.
Just like in the first movie, Ian had kept the reunion of the end to shoot at last. Because even movie-wise and production-wise, it would feel like a proper end to him and all the actors.
“So, we are yet again in the ending of Home Alone, what do you feel Adam?”
It was a break for the cast and the set. They had shot a single scene since morning, and after the lunch break, everyone including Adam, Fiona, Ian, and others were seated in a circle on the set.
“I feel like, there were more stress and pressure compared to the first movie. But at the same time, it was fun. I’m waiting to watch the final product,” he said.
Ian clapped and everyone else followed.
“As much as I want to see and know the thoughts of everyone here, I guess we should start shooting the final scene. Is everyone ready?” Ian asked and smiled.
“Raelynn is not here, she went out,” Niko said and Ian frowned.
“Huh?” Ian questioned as everyone looked at one another.
“She went out, she should be here at any moment,” Niko said again noticing the uncomfortable silence.
After a few minutes, the environment of the set became rather less intimidating due to the question of where the cinematographer went.
Everyone started doing one thing or another, except start the shooting.
Ian got busy with going through the final shooting script scene. He was talking to Mason about his plans for the release of the movie.
“Last time it was Christmas when we released. It went well considering the demand for Christmas movies always increased during the season,” Mason said.
“Yeah, and the best part is how there hadn’t been a movie that could be compared to Home Alone ever since it got released,” Ian said as he scrolled through his phone while talking.
“How do you know?” Mason asked back.
“Well, there’s this movie, from Leon Studio, once again a Christmas movie. The thing is how they started to promote the movie now. And there was a trend about Home Alone, right when the topic of Christmas movies came up. It was really something, no joking.”
“Ahaha… Yeah,” Mason said.
As soon as he said it, the entire set turned dark. Ian gasped and looked around, he couldn’t see anything.
The entire setting looked surprising just for Ian but for everyone. They were silent for obvious reasons, and the next thing that could be seen is a glimpse of light, walking from Ian’s left side.
“Happy Birthday to you…”
“Happy Birthday to you…”
“What the fuck?” Ian cursed to himself, as he saw the light getting closer. It was Raelynn, with a candle—and a cake.
“Happy birthday… Happy birthday…”
“Happy birthday to you!” Adam shouted finally and the lights came in.
Ian was truly surprised.
“What- How did you all even know?” Ian asked and everyone had giant smiles plastered on their faces.
“We missed two birthdays of yours, but not this! I don’t know how but Raelynn found it last week, and we thought of surprising you a bit. Coincidentally, it was the last day of shooting as well,” Niko said and the cake was brought in front of Ian.
Raelynn had a smile plastered on her face as well.
“Happy birthday, Ian!” She said.
-
Ian was stunned after their little celebration. Ian’s birthday was on 22nd October. So was the owner of the body that he carried around. What more could possibly sync together?
The scene inside the house was taken after the celebrations. The final scene that remained to take was of Kevin talking to the camera while in front of a huge Christmas tree.
“So, this is the final scene… Let’s not mess it up!”
“Quiet, everyone!” Ian commanded while everyone went silent in a second.
“Sound!”
“SET!” The sound manager, Robert replied.
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“Camera?”
“Set!” Raelynn, the cinematographer replied.
“Roll sound…!”
“Roll camera…!”
“ACTION!”
The clapper board came in front of the camera and everyone got into their roles.
The setting was perfectly set. In front of a huge Christmas tree, Adam stood. The Christmas tree was celebrated with blue and red lights perfectly, and the golden lights added more glamour and happiness to the environment.
Behind Kevin aka Adam, the props and the builds were built according to Ian, just like how they were in the original movie.
“Start….”
The camera rolled and was recording every movement of Kevin.
“I know I don't deserve a Christmas even if I did do a good deed. I don't want any presents. Instead, I want to take back every mean thing I ever said to my family...even if they don't do the same. I don't care. I love all of them. Including Buzz. If I can't see all of them, could I just see my mother? I'll never want another thing, ever. I just want my mother. I know it won't be tonight...but promise me I can see her again. Sometime. Anytime. Even if it's just once and only for a few minutes. I need to tell her I'm sorry.” Adam repeated the dialogues, and even Ian felt sincere for how he kept on going.
By the end of it, Fiona yelled, “Kevin?”
“Camera 3…. Roll!” Raelynn commanded.
“Mom?” Adam asked back.
“That was fast..” he went on talking to the Christmas tree.
“Fiona… Run!” Ian commanded, and Fiona, who acted as Kate aka Kevin’s mother, ran in between the structure like made up that was behind Kevin, and finally stood a few feet away from Adam.
“Oh, Kevin,” she said with glassy eyes.
“Camera 2, focus on Adam’s face…” Raelynn commanded again.
“Mom, I’m sorry,” Adam said.
“I’m sorry too,” Fiona said and a tear rolled down her face.
Adam looked neutral, and within seconds his facial expression changed.
“Give me that smirk Adam… Perfect!” Ian said and he got the perfect shot he needed.
“CUT! I’d need one more of that guys, as sentimental as it was, Fiona, I want you to smile along with him, change the neutral face and show emotions when I say, change. Are we ready? Let’s do this guys, we got this!” Ian cheered up and everyone went back to their positions.
The last time, Ian was scolding how the last shot wasn’t to his standards, but this time, for all the experiences he had gained, he realized that a few explanations and patience would give him the perfect shots he need.
-
Ian was finally feeling content with the final shot. As the end, everyone again sat around Ian to talk about their experiences throughout the journey.
“This feels more like a remake of the first movie, to be honest,” an actress among the set said.
Not everyone was needed with the shooting, but more than half of the whole cast came because it was the final day, and also they wanted to celebrate Ian’s birthday, which was also why everyone had their portion of the entire cake in their hands.
“Hmm… That’s true, but tell me, almost every good review had asked how they want to see Marv and Harry getting tortured by a kid. And, tell me, what’s the fun of christmas with no good christmas movie?” Ian asked and everyone laughed.
“I second it!”
“True!”
“Ahahah… Best scenes ever!”
“I bet they’re going to love this movie than the first one!”
“Who knows!”
The people started talking about the movies and Ian thought about something else.
Ian knew that the Director Chris Columbus admits on the audio commentary for Home Alone (1990), this movie was, "to some extent", a remake of the first movie. Also, in the original movie, a deleted scene featured Kevin having a similar aftershave scene in the Plaza like in the first movie. Director Chris Columbus cut the scene for two reasons. This movie was already two hours long, and he was afraid that people would accuse this movie of being a remake, rather than a sequel to Home Alone.
Which also made a lot of sense.
There were such coincidences even when Ian was remaking the movie in this world.
Among the sponsors for the second movie, ‘BlueTula’ was a soft drink brand that sponsored Home Alone 2. Which also made him remember somethng about the original movie—that Coca-Cola products make several appearances in the film, including in scenes when Kevin rides a limousine and when Kevin's cousin Fuller wakes up at the Plaza Hotel. Pepsi products were used in Home Alone (1990)
What happened with the plaza hotel was that Ian rented another hotel, which unfortunately had no coincidence with the original movie. But things went great as the shots were taken with no disaster.
“So guys, who are ready to share hear some fun facts about the movie?” Ian asked and everyone nodded and agreed to his request.
“I’m not sure if anyone noticed-” Ian started as every pair of eye were focused on to him. “Not once during this movie or Home Alone (1990) do Harry or Marv call Kevin by name. They have no opportunity because they only know the names of his parents from the details of the first movie. All Harry said to refer to Kevin at the beginning of the first film was "a whiny kid, who was pitching a fit." The bag that Kevin holds in front of Duncan's Toy Chest has the last name and initial on it. Harry looks at Kevin's plane ticket before tearing it up and could possibly have seen his name on it. And near the end of this movie, the Pigeon Lady yells, "Kevin, run!" in front of Marv and Harry.”
“WOAH WHAT?”
“IS IT TRUE?”
“DAMN, FOR REAL?”
“THAT IS TOO WEIRD TO BE TRUE…!”
The comments of everyone made Ian laugh.
“I’m going to go on with some more…. The child that Marv and Harry catch in the park is wearing a nearly identical hat that Kevin wore in Home Alone!”
“What in the world!!!”
Once again, everyone realised that was true. And some were too stunned to speak. The expressions were priceless, and Ian chuckled.
“Alright alright, last but not least… In the first movie, the McCallisters are headed to France when they forget Kevin. In this movie, when Kevin boards the plane to New York City, he's seated next to a man who only speaks French.”
“WHAT?”
“NO… I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE!”
“TO FUCKING THINK THAT there are connections… Wow!”
“One more!” Ian announced as everyone shouted. Fiona had hands covering her ears.
“I can't do this anymore!”
“Both the movies end up with Kevin getting scolded!”