Mrs. Doubtfire Director Says He Met with Robin Williams to Discuss ‘Really Strong’ Sequel Before His Death

There is only one Mrs. Doubtfire in the eyes of director Chris Columbus.

The longtime director, 65, revealed in a recent interview with Business Insider that a sequel to the beloved film wasn’t considered until several years later — and by then it was too late, as the film’s star, Robin Williams, died in 2014 at the age of 63. life.

“Back then, there was an attitude that artists looked down on sequels. So Robin was against doing a sequel right after,” Columbus said.

“He and I didn’t talk about a sequel until the year he passed away,” he said of the Oscar winner. “We had a script that was written and that was the last time I saw Robin. I went over to his house and we sat down and talked about it and the script was really strong.”

Robin Williams sweeps in a scene from the movie ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, 1993.

20th Century-Fox/Getty

Director Chris Columbus explains why the film ‘Mrs. Doubtfire sequel ‘impossible’

He said he remembers Williams asking him if he “needs to be in the suit so much this time” because the role of Mrs. Doubtfire was “physically demanding” and it was like “running a marathon” “every day he was in costume on Doubtfire.”

“We talked about it and I think he was hoping that in the rework we would tone down the character of Doubtfire,” Columbus explained. “But then Robin passed away so there will never be a sequel Mrs. Doubtfire.”

He told Business Insider that he believes “Fox/Disney own the rights” and can “do whatever they want” with the property Mrs. Doubtfire. But he remarked: “Should they? God no.”

“I’ll certainly be very vocal about it if they decide to do it,” he added.

Stills from Mrs. Doubtfire Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub, Robin Williams, Mara Wilson, Sally Field.

Photo by Phil Bray/20th Century Fox

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Columbus had earlier expressed similar sentiments while talking to SF door at the 2021 SF Movie Awards, saying it would be “impossible” for anyone to play one of Williams’ most iconic roles of his career.

“Today, ironically, I read a lot of reviews about a Broadway show [which opened in New York this week]. And this guy playing him [Rob McClure] is reportedly very energetic and awesome,” Columbus told the outlet. “But he’s not Robin. Robin was one of a kind.”

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Columbus also recalled to Business Insider that he “had to shoot the entire movie with four cameras to keep up” with Williams, who would often go off-script with new gags during filming. He added that they could turn the footage into a documentary.

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Source: HIS Education