Meet the next generation of The Griswolds in the first images from Vacation

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Like GHOSTBUSTERS and GREMLINS, a sequel/reboot to the National Lampoon VACATION series was inevitable. Some find it to be ill-advised since the movies have not been all that great since CHRISTMAS VACATION even though VEGAS VACATION is a bit underrated. So, when word came down that Ed Helms would play an adult version of Rusty, fans were divided. When Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo agreed to return, more people were convinced.

In the first official image from the new VACATION, we see Ed Helms as Rusty alongside his wife Debbie, played by Christina Applegate. Chase and D’Angelo are pictured but it is hard to tell if Chevy is playing his character or just not happy to be in the movie at all. Not pictured are Leslie Mann as Audrey Griswold or Chris Hemsworth as her husband, Stone Crandall. We also have yet to see Keegan-Michael Key, Regina Hall, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Nick Kroll, or any of the other cast-members.

Here’s the synopsis for VACATION.

Following in the footsteps of his father Clark (Chevy Chase) and hoping for some much-needed family bonding, a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) surprises his wife, Debbie (Christina Applegate), and their two sons, James (Skyler Gisondo) and Kevin (Steele Stebbins), with a cross-country trip back to America’s favorite family fun park: Walley World, as it will be closing forever.

Directed by the team of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2), VACATION sounds like it could be a nice return to the plot of the original movie, but it will be a tough battle to try and compete with the Harold Ramis directed original. The studio seems to have confidence though as the release date has been bumped up from the original November slot to the prime summer date of July 31st.