Tim Allen says a ‘Home Improvement’ revival is still being discussed, but the Taylor family reunion is not exactly moving smoothly.
The actor, 73, recently opened up about why a reboot of the beloved ABC sitcom remains stuck more than 25 years after the original show ended. According to Allen, the biggest challenge involves the actors who played his onscreen sons.
The series ran from 1991 to 1999 and made Allen a TV superstar as Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. But bringing that family back together now appears to be complicated.
Tim Allen Says Reboot Talks Hit Problems
“They keep talking about how it could move forward, but they get stuck,” Allen told Us Weekly.
He said the issue comes down to the actors who played Brad, Randy and Mark.
“There are some personality problems right now with the boys,” Allen said. “They’ve got their own issues.”
Allen added that he once imagined the reboot focusing more on the sons and their own families.
“I always thought it would be cool if it was a story about them,” he said. “That’s a little challenging right now, to put it mildly.”
The Taylor Sons Have Taken Different Paths
Zachery Ty Bryan, who played oldest son Brad, is currently serving prison time in California after several probation violations. He is also set to serve time in Oregon. Bryan was arrested on a second felony DUI charge in 2024, followed by a second-degree domestic violence charge in 2025.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who played middle son Randy, has largely left acting behind. Patricia Richardson, who played Jill Taylor, previously said Thomas is more interested in writing and directing now.
“Jonathan’s not really interested in acting,” Richardson said on the ‘Back to the Best’ podcast in 2024.
Taran Noah Smith, who played youngest son Mark, has also stayed away from onscreen work since the 1999 finale.
Patricia Richardson Has Pushed Back Before
Richardson has also said she was surprised to hear Allen publicly suggest the cast was onboard for a reboot. She claimed he had not spoken to her about it and said she would not want to return.
Still, Allen has floated the idea for years. In 2023, he said he had discussed a possible ‘Fuller House’-style continuation centered on the next generation.
“Like if all of them had children, and I’m a grandparent,” Allen said. “Home Re-Improvement or something like that.”
A full reboot may remain uncertain, but some ‘Home Improvement’ faces have already reunited elsewhere. Richardson, Richard Karn and Debbe Dunning appeared with Allen on Season 2 of ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears.’
For now, the Tool Man may still want another swing. But this family project clearly needs more than a fresh coat of paint.
