‘The Flintstones’ Star John Goodman Had A Message For Producer Steven Spielberg: “Yabba Dabba Don’t!”

Director Brian Levant reveals in a new interview that John Goodman did not want to reprise his role of Fred Flintstone in a sequel to the 1994 film, The Flintstones.

In an interview with Total Film, Levant said Goodman went so far as to go to film producer Steven Spielberg, begging for a way out. Goodman starred as Fred alongside Rick Moranis, Elizabeth Perkins, Rosie O’Donnell, Kyle MacLachlan, and Halle Berry in the live action film of the modern Stone Age family.

After having a rough experience throughout filming, Goodman spoke with Spielberg, asking to escape the production of a sequel that was being discussed.

Levant said the plan was to do the same thing with The Flintstones that they did with Back to the Future and shoot back-to-back. But Goodman made an appointment with Spielberg and said, “Please don’t make me do any more of these.”

Goodman didn’t want to be associated with a character he didn’t like for the rest of his career. However, he felt pressured when the director revealed his intention to cast Goodman in a table read for 1989’s Always.

Eventually, Goodman and all but one member of the original cast would decline to return for the next entry of the franchise.

The plan was to follow up with The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, to be released in 2000. The Full Monty‘s Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin played younger versions of Fred and Barney as they searched for love and avoided the alien The Great Gazoo (Alan Cumming).

The film had a budget of $83 million, and its take fell short of that by $23.6 million. The Flintstones hasn’t had a theatrical feature since.