Trivia / Uncle Buck

• Defictionalization: Binging with Babish recreated the giant pancakes that Buck cooked for Miles' birthday party. They ended up being so heavy that a robotic arm was required to flip them.
• Follow-Up Failure: Both short-lived TV adaptations.
  • The first ran in 1990 on CBS with Buck (now played by Kevin Meaney) taking custody of Tia, Miles and Maizy when their parents die in an automobile accident after the events of the film (although you wouldn't know it with how happy they all look). It met with unfavorable reviews by critics and lackluster ratings, was moved into the Friday Night Death Slot, and finally cancelled after one season.
  • Much later in 2015, ABC picked up a new version of the property starring Mike Epps as Buck. Airing as a Midseason Replacement in the summer of 2016, it too was met with poor reviews and ratings. ABC ended Buck's stay after just 8 episodes.
• Recycled: The Series: As mentioned above, both short-lived TV versions.
• What Could Have Been:
  • John Hughes wanted Winona Ryder to play Tia after he had seen her in Beetlejuice. She declined due to scheduling conflicts with Heathers.
  • John Travolta was asked to play Buck, but he declined due to scheduling conflicts with Look Who's Talking. Joe Pesci was offered the role, but he was busy with Lethal Weapon 2. Robin Williams was offered the role, but he was busy with Dead Poets Society. Jack Nicholson was offered the role, but he was busy with Batman (1989). Tom Hanks was offered the role, but he was busy with Turner and Hooch. Tim Allen, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, Chevy Chase, Tom Cruise, Danny DeVito, John Goodman, Michael Keaton, Dudley Moore, Bill Murray, Ed O'Neill and George Wendt were also considered.
  • Rick Moranis turned down the role of Bob Russell.
  • A remake was said to be in the works starring Dan Fogler as Buck, though news of that vanished.

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