Acclaimed actress Jean Smart, recently celebrated for her final Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for HBO Max's 'Hacks,' has found her next major project. Popcorn Wire has learned from IndieWire that Smart will be joining the cast of 'The Families Stone,' a sequel to the popular 2005 holiday dramedy 'The Family Stone.' The project is generating buzz not only for Smart's involvement but also for the reunion of much of the original ensemble cast.

Smart's addition comes as the sequel aims to recapture the charm and familial chaos that made the first film a cult classic. She will be portraying a new character, the romantic interest of Craig T. Nelson's character, Kelly Stone. Her introduction promises to shake up the already eventful holiday gatherings of the Stone family, especially given the circumstances of the new film's plot.

'The Families Stone' is set two decades after the original movie, centering on the family coming together to mourn the passing of matriarch Sybil Stone, originally played by the late Diane Keaton. With the family already grappling with loss, Kelly Stone's decision to bring his new love interest home for Christmas is sure to ignite some classic Stone family drama. The original film explored themes of acceptance, family bonds, and navigating holiday stress when an uptight businesswoman (Sarah Jessica Parker) meets her boyfriend's eccentric family for the first time.

The sequel will see many familiar faces reprise their roles, including Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Tyrone Giordano, Elizabeth Reaser, Paul Schneider, and Brian White. Director and writer Tom Bezucha, who helmed the original, is also returning to guide the next chapter of the Stone family saga. Bezucha's credits since 'The Family Stone' include films like 'Monte Carlo' and 'Let Him Go,' as well as an Emmy-nominated directing turn for 'Fargo.'

Searchlight Pictures is behind 'The Families Stone,' with principal photography slated to commence this fall in New York. Producing the film are Michael London and Shannon Gaulding for Groundswell Productions, alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Alison Benson for Pretty Matches Productions. The original 20th Century Fox film, released in 2005, garnered $92 million globally and has since become a beloved holiday staple.

For Smart, this role signifies a return to feature films following her acclaimed television work. Her recent film appearances include Damien Chazelle’s 'Babylon' and 'Wildflower,' both from 2022. Prior to that, she also featured in memorable films such as 'Garden State' and 'Sweet Home Alabama.' She is also attached to appear in the upcoming rom-com 'Egg Baby' from Amazon MGM Studios. Smart's career has seen a remarkable resurgence, cemented by her consistent Emmy wins for 'Hacks,' making her presence in 'The Families Stone' a particularly exciting prospect for fans of both the actress and the original film.