Just over forty years after the release of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Matthew Broderick has revealed secrets about the film that even obsessives may have missed.
Broderick catapulted into the spotlight as the titular character when the film debuted in 1986. Speaking to The Guardian in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, the actor divulged new information about Bueller’s iconic look.
“There’s details you don’t even see,” Broderick told the publication of the costumes from designer Marilyn Vance and director John Hughes.
“My socks had flags of all the nations on them. The rabbit’s foot in my pocket was just there. John thought Ferris’s leather coat should be simple, like James Dean’s red jacket but we went very much the other way.
“The beret was my idea,” he added.
Broderick also opened up about the possibility for a sequel — and the turning point that put the idea to rest.
“When John was alive, I always thought, ‘Maybe we’ll do it again?’ but too much time passed,” Broderick said. “What happened to Ferris? He’s pretty charming and creative but he probably turned into his dad. That’s what most of us do.”
Broderick previously told The Guardian that it was “hard” to get people on board with his later roles after Bueller.
“I did have nice early success. But it’s not easy to maintain that first flush,” he told the publication in 2023. “It’s always a hard adjustment for child actors, young actors. People see the kid out of Leave It to Beaver grown up and they don’t buy it – they want to see little Beaver.”
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He added: “People associated me with younger roles, but I wanted them to come with me and get used to the fact that I’m wrinkly. And it was hard. The Nineties were hard. Lots of ups and downs. But I always tried to keep at it, keep my heart in it. Hopefully that keeps you in the game.”
When asked what his legacy is, the actor replied: “Well, I’m Ferris Bueller, I suppose. I have to accept it. And I like it. I’ve made my peace with it.”
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off charts a day in the life of a high school slacker who skips school with his girlfriend and best friend. In addition to Broderick, the film starred Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey, Jeffrey Jones and Cindy Pickett.
The acclaimed film was a box office success, making $70.7 million from a budget of just $5 million. Among its memorable scenes are Broderick’s titular character dancing to The Beatles song “Twist and Shout” at Chicago’s Von Steuben Day parade and Ruck’s character Cameron destroying a Ferrari.
Broderick and Ruck are set to reunite in the forthcoming film The Best is Yet to Come. Though a release date has not yet been set, the film has reportedly wrapped production.
In addition to Broderick and Ruck, the film stars Judith Maxie, Mary-Louise Parker, Sutton Foster, Michaela Watkins and Thomas Mann.
