David Spade recently announced that he turned down the sequel to his cult comedy from 1995, Tommy Boy. Created through a collaboration of Saturday Night Live actors, it became a pivotal point in the careers of both David Spade and Chris Farley. The story revolves around the late auto parts factory owner’s unqualified son, who must fight his money-grabbing family to save the company. Tommy Boy celebrated its 30th anniversary in March 2025. Director Peter Segal has emphasized Chris Farley’s importance to the franchise, which explains why Spade won’t be in a sequel.

Spade expressed his hesitancy to accept the offer in an episode of Theo Von’s podcast, where he explained he turned down the offer for a sequel. David Spade and Chris Farley were SNL co-stars for years before their collaboration on Tommy Boy, during which time the pair developed a close friendship. Spade has spoken fondly of his co-star, revealing he still has his used coat from Tommy Boy, and the actor still “thinks about Farley every day,” (via Variety.) According to Spade, a Tommy Boy sequel couldn’t exist “with no” Chris Farley. Check out Spade’s full comment below:

“I was pitched [Tommy Boy] two years ago, and I was like I can’t find a scenario with no Chris Farley. He was the whole movie. It would be too much of a sell out. I can’t imagine it. No one could do that. It was our kids and it was about them and I was going to help them on the road. Listen, it was about Chris. If we did another one back then it would’ve been a blast.”

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What This Means For Tommy Boy

It’s Better That Tommy Boy Remained A Standalone Film

Spade’s sentiments were right, as Chris Farley truly was the heart of Tommy Boy, so a sequel likely wouldn’t have matched the quality of the original. Tommy Boy has since become a cult classic and a continuation without its central star ran a high risk of potentially tarnishing the original’s reputation. Tommy Boy presented Farley’s superb comedic timing with a unique blend of physical comedy, firmly establishing the late Chris Farley’s name among the all-time comedy legends.

Ultimately, his performance was central to Tommy Boy‘s enduring appeal. Naturally, it always made sense to ᴀssume that any continuation of the story would have to feature the comedian. Without Farley, a sequel would have inherently lost the core of what made the original movie so special.

Our Take On David Spade’s Decision

David Spade Made The Right Decision For Tommy Boy’s Legacy

Without question, Spade demonstrated creative integrity by refusing to participate in a sequel without Farley, both respecting his late friend and the film’s legacy. Spade’s acknowledgment that a sequel without his co-star would be a “sell-out” is significant because it shows his commitment to honoring the original film, regardless of how fun he expected it to be. Beyond that, Tommy Boy‘s humor hinges on the dynamic between Farley’s loud character and Spade’s witty sarcasm. Their on-screen chemistry was a direct result of their established relationship. Therefore, attempting the film without Farley would have been a major undertaking for the remaining actors.

Source: Variety