Mrs. Doubtfire 2 Plans With Robin Williams Addressed By Original Director

Director Chris Columbus comments on the unmade Mrs. Doubtfire 2 and Robin Williams’ thoughts on the stalled project. Released in 1993, Mrs. Doubtfire remains one of Williams’ most iconic movie roles. The film sees the late comedic superstar playing actor Daniel Hillard, who transforms himself into the titular nanny in order to spend time with his children following a bitter divorce.

Now, Columbus speaks with Business Insider for Mrs. Doubtfire‘s 30th anniversary, recalling Williams’ thoughts about a sequel and just how close they got to making it. While the actor may not have wanted to do a Mrs. Doubtfire follow-up initially, the director reveals that he would eventually come around to the idea, but that he had one big request. Check out Columbus’ comment below:

“It’s an interesting thing. Back then, there was an attitude that sequels were looked down upon by the artists. So Robin was against doing a sequel immediately after. He and I didn’t talk about a sequel until the year he passed away.

“We had a script that was written and it was the last time I saw Robin. I went to his house and we sat down and talked about it and the script was really strong. Robin’s only comment was, ‘Boss, do I have to be in the suit as much this time?’ It was physically demanding. For Robin, I think it was like running a marathon every day he was in the Doubtfire costume. He was older, obviously.

“So we talked about it and I think he was hoping in the rewrite we would cut back on the Doubtfire character. But then Robin passed away so there will never be a sequel to “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

“Fox/Disney owns the rights, I think. I don’t think the Williams family owns it, so the studio can do whatever they want with it. Should they? God no. I will certainly be very vocal about it if they decide to do it.”

Mrs. Doubtfire 2 Can’t Work Without Robin Williams

Even if Williams had gotten a chance to reprise his role, there’s a strong argument to be made that a sequel isn’t needed. The Mrs. Doubtfire ending concludes the story on a poignant note, with Daniel and his wife, Miranda (Sally Field), remaining divorced but finding peace and agreeing to more equal custody of their children. It’s unclear what the sequel’s story would have been but, thematically, the original brings everything full-circle in a meaningful way.

With Williams having tragically passed away in 2014, there’s an even greater reason to not make Mrs. Doubtfire 2. The sequel would face two impossibly challenging options if it were to ever happen. The first option would be to rewrite the script so that it no longer includes Daniel in the story. With no Daniel and, as a result, no eponymous nanny, the movie probably wouldn’t even feel like a proper sequel, even if the rest of the Mrs. Doubtfire cast were to return.

The second option would be to recast Williams’ part. While the Mrs. Doubtfire Broadway musical did this to mixed reception, Williams was a singular performer. The late actor’s comedic timing, quick wit, and energetic style are why he became such a phenomenon, and his performance as the titular nanny is a major reason why the film remains such a classic. It remains to be seen whether Mrs. Doubtfire 2 will happen, but it’s probably best that Columbus gets his wish.