A “bizarre” encounter with actor Chevy Chase caused then-unknown filmmaker Chris Columbus to walk away National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The Nosferatu Recalling the experience publicly for the first time, the producer explained that Chase’s disrespectful behavior towards him led to him quitting at a time when he desperately needed a next project.

In a new sit-down with Vanity Fairtold Columbus about an association with John Hughes, who was represented at the time by the same agent, after the release of a “completely disastrous” film called ” Heartbreak Hotel. After the box office hit and the critical failure, The Breakfast Club The director sent him the script Christmas holidays.

Columbus jumped into action and began filming the second unit in Chicago around Christmas time.

“I was registered… and Then I met Chevy Chase. Even given my situation at that time, where I really needed to make a film, I realized that I couldn’t work with the guy,” he said. “I was one of many who couldn’t work with him. And I called John and said, ‘This is really hard for me, but I can’t do this movie with Chevy Chase.'”

The Gremlins Helmer attended two meetings with Chase where the Saturday Night Live Alum didn’t say a word for half an hour and dismissed him as the director of the film.

“He had “I knew I was directing the film,” Columbus explained. “I talked about how I saw the film and how I wanted to make it. He didn’t say anything. I talked for about half an hour. He didn’t say A Word. And then he pauses and says – and this doesn’t make sense to anyone on the planet, but I’m telling you. I’ve probably never told this story before. Forty minutes into the meeting he says, ‘Wait a minute.’ You’re the director?’ And I said, “Yeah… I’m directing the movie.” And he said something unreal and bizarre to me. I still couldn’t make sense of it. He said, ‘Oh, I thought you were a drummer.’ I said, ‘Uhh, okay.’ Let’s start talking about the movie again.’ After about 30 seconds he said, ‘I have to go.'”

At the second meeting, at which Hughes was also present, the Ms. Doubtfire The director said he was “basically non-existent” and that Hughes and Chase discussed everything except the film. Then the decision was made: “First of all, he’s not engaged. He treats me like shit. I don’t need that. I’d rather not work again. I would rather write,” he said. “I thought: This is how we’re going to work together? I’ll be on set and he won’t listen.” (VF said Chase did not respond to a request for comment.)

While it’s unclear whether Chase was joking or “bullying” Columbus, Jeremiah S. Chechnik was hired to direct the 1989 film, the third of the ’80s Vacation Series. Columbus said he called Hughes and explained that he couldn’t move forward with the project and “wouldn’t make a good movie with this guy and I’m going to let you down,” which Hughes took in stride.

But all is well, the ending is good: the following weekend, Hughes sent the script Home alone – and the rest is a Christmas story.