When it comes to the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, Anthony Michael Hall is a name that’s commonly associated with the franchise. He played the role of Rusty Griswold in the first film, but he was notably absent in the sequel, European Vacation. This has left fans wondering: why didn’t Anthony Michael Hall do European Vacation?
Anthony Michael Hall’s Departure
To answer this question, we need to look at what happened between the first and second films. During this time, Anthony Michael Hall had become a popular young actor in Hollywood. He was receiving offers for other roles and was starting to outgrow his teenage persona.
The Role of Rusty Griswold
In National Lampoon’s Vacation, Rusty Griswold is portrayed as a naive and innocent teenager who is constantly getting into trouble. While this role suited Hall at the time, he wanted to explore other types of characters.
The Offer
Despite his desire to move on from the franchise, producers offered Hall a substantial amount of money to reprise his role as Rusty in European Vacation. However, he declined the offer and decided to pursue other opportunities instead.
Jason Lively Takes Over
With Anthony Michael Hall out of the picture, producers had to find a replacement for Rusty Griswold. They ultimately chose Jason Lively for the role.
How Fans Reacted
Fans were initially skeptical of Lively’s portrayal of Rusty Griswold. They had grown accustomed to Hall’s interpretation of the character and weren’t sure if Lively could live up to their expectations.
The Legacy of European Vacation
Despite its rocky start with fans, European Vacation went on to become a box office success. The film grossed over $49 million worldwide and paved the way for future sequels in the franchise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anthony Michael Hall didn’t do European Vacation because he wanted to pursue other opportunities as an actor. While fans may have been disappointed initially, the film ultimately found success with a new actor in the role of Rusty Griswold.