What the fock?!According to Entertainment Weekly, Dustin Hoffman, who played Ben Stiller's eccentric father Bernie Focker in 2004's 'Meet the Fockers,' may not be reprising his role in the upcoming 'Little Fockers.' Allegedly, there has been "strife between Hoffman and the studio over the size of the part, the scheduling of the days on set and other difficulties."
With both Universal and Hoffman keeping mum on the situation so far, we can only speculate how the filmmakers would adjust to Hoffman's absence. Do they kill him off in a less-than-subtle nod to their differences a la Chef in 'South Park' ? (Doubtful.) Do they pull an Aunt Vivian in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and just replace him wholesale and hope no one notices? (Even more doubtful.) Our guess: Roz Focker, Stiller's sex therapist mom played by Barbra Streisand (who's confirmed to return to the film), discusses her abrupt divorce and introduces Gaylord to his new stepdad.
Hoffman and Streisand's quirky (to say the least) relationship was arguably a big factor in 'Fockers'' $516 million worldwide gross, and losing his star power may hurt the film slightly -- but with Stiller, Streisand, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Jessica Alba and Owen Wilson all signed on to star, the whole would most likely be greater than the sum of its parts. Keitel, for one, has signed up to play a contractor employed by Stiller, but it wouldn't be crazy to swap out one legendary actor for another for the part of Stiller's father.
No word yet on whether Hoffman's absence will push back the scheduled July 2010 release date of 'Fockers,' directed by 'American Pie' vet Paul Weitz, which will introduce Gaylord and Pam Focker as parents of 5-year old twins.
Reader Comments (7)
Annmarie at 6:06AM on Nov 30th 2009
aww that sucks he was one of my favorite characters in Meet the Fockers!! He's a boner..
Jennifer at 2:57PM on Nov 27th 2009
Awwwww, Dustin....you HAVE to be in the movie. This should be worked out or the movie will be a dud.
Sandy at 3:23PM on Nov 27th 2009
Too Bad Mrs.Streisand didn't drop out!!!
That's problemly the real reason he won't do the movie b/c she's a Big Time B*%ch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I WILL NEVER SPEND MY TIME OR MONEY ON THAT BIG NOSE B*%CH WHO CAN'T SING OR ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bree at 6:05AM on Nov 30th 2009
Good Afternoon Moron,
About Barbra & Dustin, you don'tknow what the hell you are talking about.
FYI Dustin and Barbra are over forty years,"long time friends."
Furthermore, Barbra is an Icon.
niceyco at 6:06AM on Nov 30th 2009
Sandy you are sick...where does it mention Barbra S. as the cause of him not doing the movie...just another HATER OF MANKIND. happy holidays (sic)
mark at 5:20PM on Nov 27th 2009
Since "Meet the Fockers" was a second in a series the producers should have seen this 3rd one coming and picked only actors that would agree to future roles. I will probably want to see the new one coming out but it can't be as good as it would with Dustin so If you are readinding these comment Mr. Hoffman, as a fan of yours, please don't do this to me and others that feel as I do. We want vto see the real FOCKER!
Joseph Ardito at 10:16AM on Dec 21st 2009
Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers are "Stolen Copyrights" that have been used unlawfully. People should boycott this movie....
see: chivalryfilmproductions.com Hollywood has a morale obligation to set the record straight.
However, they care nothing about what's legally right because of the political connections and corruption that has infiltrated the Library of Congress and our court system.