Bill Pullman's Son Lewis Would Consider Playing Dad's Casper Role, with a Catch: 'Can't Outdo What He Did' (Exclusive)

Lewis Pullman reflects on father Bill Pullman’s “beloved” 1995 supernatural family film. Casper ahead of its 30th anniversary next year.

Talking to PEOPLE about his new vampire film Salem’s Lotwho now portrays Max, Lewis says he would be willing to step into the shoes of his father’s character, Dr. James Harvey.

But that would have to be a very specific scenario. Lewis, 31, explains: “It’s sacred ground to tread, especially something as beloved as Casper.”

“I would [do] the previous sequel where I play him younger,” he allows.

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Lewis and Bill Pullman in Toronto on September 10, 2017.

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Christina Ricci showed off her three-and-a-half-year-old son ‘Casper’ — and his reaction was priceless

Another film by his father that Lewis would be willing to expand on, also released in 1995? Romantic comedy While you were sleepingin which Bill (70) starred alongside Sandra Bullock.

“I would love to do that While you were sleepingbut maybe in their children that they have… something else is going on, where I play their son,” Lewis tells PEOPLE.

But regardless of how his career might overlap with his father’s, “I would never want to step into Pop’s shoes,” he says. “I can’t top what he did. I wouldn’t even try.”

Casper follows Bill’s character, “ghost psychiatrist” and widower Dr. James Harvey, and his pre-teen daughter Kat (Christina Ricci) as they move into a home haunted by a friendly ghost named Casper and his three spooky uncles, Stinky, Stretch and Fatso. Casper and Kat become friends as they try to save his home from an evil ghostbuster.

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Christina Ricci entered Casper (1995).

Universal/Everett Collection

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In May 2023, Lewis spoke to PEOPLE about growing up in a “real creative family” that also includes actor Bill and older siblings Jack and Mesa, who are “all performers in some area.”

But Top Gun: Maverick star admitted that he was initially hesitant to seek his father’s help in directing his acting career, noting that at first he was “ignored in the sense of, ‘I have to do it my way.’ ”

“I quickly realized that it was incredibly stupid not to take advantage of this amazing resource that I had, which happened to be my father,” Lewis explained, adding that Bill’s advice was “pretty invaluable because he knows me so well as a person.”

“He knows what excites me, what makes me nervous, what scares me,” Lewis said. “And he also has so much experience in the business and with the craft. So all of his advice is aimed at me. I don’t know where I’d be without it.”

Salem’s Lot now streaming on Max.

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Source: HIS Education