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Almost four decades have passed since then Zack Ward made history as the epitome of yellow-eyed bully Scut Farkus in the popular Christmas classic a Christmas Story. The award-winning actor spoke EXCLUSIVELY HollywoodLife to explain why it took him some time to resume his role in the new A Christmas Story Christmas now on HBO Max.
“I loved what they did with the scripts. There were multiple versions, multiple options before this film that had come and gone. There was an idea for a TV series and a movie, but the scripts didn’t work out. And the heart wasn’t there. It should be [writer] Jean Shepherd and [director] Bob Clarks vision, expanded”, said Zack while promoting his partnership with the Alzheimer Society to raise awareness and money for the fight against Alzheimer’s.
“It just couldn’t be crazier and sillier. It couldn’t just be jingle, you know? It’s not that kind of film, and if you do, you’re not respecting the original film,” he said transformers Stern continued.
“I was so excited about the script that Nick Schenk wrote. He’s a writer from Gran Torino and he has done a number of films for Clinton Eastwood. So you might think that in some ways his voice wouldn’t go together with the Jean Shephard original, but there was something so incredibly honest about this film. It’s still following in those footsteps and it was great to see who the original characters were and how they grew up. And these actors embody it all beautifully.”
Zack explained why he still sits down, usually alone, and watches the film every few years. “As a filmmaker itself, it’s a clinic. As a writer, it’s just an education about how everyone lives in the same universe. And as someone who loves the film, it’s just my touchstone for people I miss – Bob Clark. He was a big sweet man. He changed my whole life. And when I watch this in private, I say hi to Bob,” he said.
The talented actor also spoke about his partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, which he teamed up with after his father was diagnosed with the disease in 2020.
He revealed why it was a “very difficult, painful, overwhelming experience.” Zack said: “Being completely overwhelmed and heartbroken emotionally and mentally by this process, I have decided to reach out and post this on Twitter so other people don’t feel like I’m alone too. That Alzheimer Society They got in touch with me after I tweeted about it and they said ‘hey there are a lot of services we can offer to help. What can we do?’ And they started talking to me about it. You are unbelievable. They have chapter groups across the country that can offer you medical advice, financial advice, legal advice, support, infrastructure and places to go and talk to people who are going through the same situation.”
To show his support, Zack is offering fans the incredible opportunity to meet him in person. Zack will be with reality christmas story House in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, December 17th and have a special screening on December 18th. We’d love to set up an interview with you and Zack to share his very personal and inspiring story this holiday season.