On Sunday night, John Hughes got his due with a special Oscar tribute to the director and screenwriter who touched upon the awkwardness, humor, pain and triumph of adolescence like no one else before. While the tribute itself was awkward and featured a haphazard reunion of Hughes’ key players, the video segment (see below) offered a reminder of what made his films so iconic.
Despite is self-exile from Hollywood and his recent passing, Hughes still remains a hot property around town. Back in 2008, “Drillbit Taylor” based on a Hughes story but rewritten by Seth Rogen and Kristofor Brown hit screens and despite that film’s poor performance (and quality) another Hughes story is gathering steam in Hollywood. “Grisbys Go Broke” “follows a wealthy Chicago family that loses everything and is forced to move to the sticks” and sounds like it’s snug in the Hughes’ wheelhouse of films like “Pretty In Pink” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.”
While Paramount was rumored to be circling the script, they have gone on record saying they will not be purchasing it. Hughes remained prolific, and apparently there are reams of unproduced material in the archives. While Hughes didn’t necessarily have to be at the helm of his pictures for their magic to transmit, we caution Hollywood to be selective in who eventually takes over his material as that balance of humor and heart will be difficult to emulate.