Jean Smart joins Family Stone sequel as Kelly's new love interest
Jean Smart is reportedly joining the cast of the upcoming Family Stone sequel, which takes place two decades after the death of Diane Keaton's character. She will play a new romantic partner for Craig T. Nelson's Kelly Stone. The film, written and directed by Thomas Bezucha, will reunite the original cast and begin production in New York this fall.
The sequel is set two decades after Sybil Stone's death, with the family gathering for Christmas when patriarch Kelly reveals a new romantic partner. Smart's character will be introduced as that partner, stepping into a role that carries echoes of Keaton's beloved matriarch. Thomas Bezucha returns as writer-director, and production begins in New York this fall.
The original 2005 film balanced comedy and drama as the Stone family dealt with Sybil's declining health and the arrival of Ben's girlfriend Meredith. The sequel reunites the full principal cast, including Parker, Wilson, Danes, McAdams, Mulroney, and others. Bezucha had previously stated he would only proceed if the main cast returned, and that condition has been met.
This sequel could appeal to audiences who grew up with the original film, offering a nostalgic reunion of beloved characters while introducing a new dynamic through Smart's character. The casting of a respected actress like Smart may draw viewers who appreciate her recent work, potentially broadening the film's appeal across generations. The holiday setting could also position it as seasonal family viewing, though the emotional weight of replacing a beloved matriarch may resonate differently with audiences who connected with Keaton's performance.