Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | David Bowers |
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| Music by | Edward Shearmur |
| Cinematography | Anthony B. Richmond |
| Editing by | Troy Takaki |
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| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | May 19, 2017 |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $22 million |
| Money made | $40.1 million |
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is a funny movie from 2017. It's based on the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books by Jeff Kinney. This film is the fourth one in the movie series and the last live-action movie. It tells a story inspired by several books: The Third Wheel, Hard Luck, The Long Haul, and Old School.
This movie is a "soft reboot," which means they changed the actors for the main characters. The actors from the first three films were replaced with a new cast. The film was released in theaters on May 19, 2017, by 20th Century Fox. It received mixed reviews from critics. Many people didn't like the new actors, especially the one playing Rodrick. The hashtag #notmyrodrick even became popular online! The movie made about $40 million worldwide, costing $22 million to make. It was the last film in the series from 20th Century Fox before Disney bought the studio in 2019. The next movie in the series will be a computer-animated film on Disney+.
Contents
The Heffleys' Road Trip Adventure
Planning a Family Journey
The story begins with the Heffley family and Greg's best friend, Rowley, at a restaurant. Greg's mom, Susan, announces a big family plan: they're going to Meemaw's 90th birthday party! The family isn't too excited about it.
Susan asks Greg to help his younger brother, Manny, who is stuck in a play area tube. Greg ends up in a ball pit with a diaper stuck to his hand. People record this and post it online, making Greg famous as "Diaper Hands."
Greg's Secret Plan
Later, Greg finds out that a big event called the Player Expo is happening near Meemaw's house in Indianapolis. His favorite online star, Mac Digby, will be there. Greg hopes to meet Mac and appear in one of his videos. He thinks this will make him popular and help him forget the "Diaper Hands" nickname. Greg knows he'll have to sneak away from the family trip to go to the Expo.
The Heffley family starts their road trip. Susan immediately takes away Greg, Rodrick, and Frank's electronic devices. She wants the trip to be completely "technology-free."
Motel Mischief and the Beardo Family
At a motel, Greg secretly gets his phone from the car. He uses it to plan his escape to the Player Expo. Later, while Greg and Rodrick are in a hot tub, Rodrick hears Greg's phone and discovers his secret plan.
That night, Greg is woken up by a loud noise. He sees some kids repeatedly crashing a cart into a wall. He calls them "the Beardos" because their dad has a big beard. Greg tells them to stop, but the daughter, Brandi, blames Greg for damaging their dad's van. She also lies and says Greg called her dad a "Fat Beardo." Mr. Beardo gets angry and tries to get Greg, but Greg escapes. Mr. Beardo then wants revenge. The next morning, Greg wakes up in the Beardos' room and escapes them again.
Fair Fun and a Piglet Pal
On the road, the Heffleys visit a country fair. Manny wins a cute piglet! Mr. Beardo and his family are also at the fair. Mr. Beardo sees Greg and chases him. Greg loses him on a spinning ride called Alien Abduction. Rodrick gets sick on the ride and vomits on Mr. Beardo.
The next day, a work call almost causes the Heffleys to have a car crash on a bridge. They can't keep the piglet, so they drop it off at a petting zoo. Manny is sad to say goodbye. Before leaving, Greg secretly changes the car's GPS to go to the Player Expo.
Sneaking Out to the Expo
At the next hotel, Greg and Rodrick tell Susan and Frank they are buying a gift for Meemaw. But they actually sneak out to the Player Expo. Susan realizes they are gone and calls the police. Then she sees them on TV and decides to go get them herself.
Greg sees Mac Digby in a video game competition. He tells Rodrick to record him on stage. But Greg accidentally knocks out the power to Mac's screen. Then Susan arrives and tells everyone that Greg is "Diaper Hands." She tells Greg she just wanted a nice family trip. Greg says she doesn't care about his interests, which is why he had to sneak out. Susan gives up and lets him play on her phone.
A Messy Trip and a Happy Ending
Back on the road, the cover on their motorboat blows open. All their belongings start falling out. The Beardos show up and begin stealing their things as "payback." They even take a suitcase with a family memory book for Meemaw. Susan cries, feeling the whole trip was a disaster.
The Heffleys chase the Beardos but get stuck in traffic. Greg helps them get out of traffic with the help of some gulls. Greg apologizes to Susan and encourages everyone not to give up on the birthday party. They take a back road and find the Beardos' van at another motel. They get their belongings back. Greg escapes Mr. Beardo in the shower, and Mr. Beardo falls into a dumpster, becoming the new "Diaper Hands."
Finally, the Heffleys reach their destination and celebrate Meemaw's birthday happily. After the party, their car breaks down on the way home. A tow truck driver stops, but he only speaks Spanish. Manny, who knows Spanish, tells the driver they need a ride. Manny guides the driver to the petting zoo, where he reunites with the pig. In the end, Frank gets time off work to spend with his family. Rodrick gets money to fix his van. Greg says the vacation wasn't perfect, but it was exciting. He's excited for next year's trip, but Susan quickly says they will be flying!
Meet the Cast
Here are the main actors who brought the Heffley family and their friends to life in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul:
- Jason Drucker as Greg Heffley
- Alicia Silverstone as Susan Heffley
- Tom Everett Scott as Frank Heffley
- Charlie Wright as Rodrick Heffley
- Owen Asztalos as Rowley Jefferson
- Dylan and Wyatt Walters as Manny Heffley
- Joshua Hoover as Mac Digby
- Christopher A. Coppola as Mr. Beardo
- Kimberli Lincoln as Mrs. Beardo
- Mira Silverman as Brandi Beardo
- Mimi Gould as Meemaw
The author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, Jeff Kinney, also makes a small appearance in the movie. He plays a booth owner at the Player Expo.
