The ‘Vacation’ Character Guide

Now 32 years after 'National Lampoon's Vacation' became one of the defining comedies of the 1980s, we're getting a sequel. 'Vacation' focuses on the next generation of the Griswold family as they complete a rite of passage and travel to Walley World. Whether you're a newcomer to the series or need a refresher, let this guide get you reacquainted with the whole Griswold clan.

In the original film, young Rusty (played by Anthony Michael Hall) was reluctantly dragged on a cross-country road trip with his family. Now a regional pilot in the Midwest with a fairly boring life, the adult Rusty (now played by Ed Helms) is determined to re-create that fateful trip and enjoy Walley World one last time before the park closes for good.

Former sorority girl and master's-degree holder Debbie is Rusty's wife. She doesn't quite understand her husband's desire to make the long trip to Walley World, but she tries to be as supportive of the idea as she can. Spunky and once a little wild, she’s comfortable with her life -- but not necessarily thrilled with it.

Like Rusty, Audrey (second from left) is all grown up and has a family of her own. Unlike her brother, Audrey has little desire to return to Walley World. Her picturesque farm is a stopping point on the road trip, giving Rusty a chance to bond with his brother-in-law, Stone.

Stone is Leslie's husband, a well-liked, on-air weatherman with the looks and money to go with a successful career. Though friendly, Stone has a habit of walking around the house in his underwear and flaunting his admittedly impressive physique. Look for a rivalry to develop between Rusty and Stone as the former struggles to prove his manhood on the farm.

It wouldn't be a true sequel without the original Griswold patriarch, would it? Chevy Chase reprises his role as Clark, now much older and well past his days making ill-advised, cross-country road trips. That's not to say he won't have a few words of wisdom for his son.

With Chevy Chase returning, it's only fair that Beverly D'Angelo also reprise her role as Ellen Griswold. It's not clear how large a role the two elder Grisolds will play in the film, but it should be interesting to see how their marriage has evolved in the past 30 years.

James is the elder of Rusty's two sons. As a teenager, James is dealing with all the awkwardness of puberty and the many uncomfortable questions that arise. This road trip will either help him become a more well-adjusted teen or scar him for life. Possibly both. Bookish and dorky, James is bullied by his younger and much smaller brother.

Though the younger of the two Griswold children, Kevin is the more confident and daring one. He isn't afraid to smack his older brother when James says something particularly dumb, which probably won't make the long car ride any easier to bear. He’s a little jerk who swears – a LOT.

'Horrible Bosses' star Charlie Day plays an unhinged, alarmingly unpredictable whitewater rafting instructor who guides the Griswolds downriver -- and into what will inevitably be another family misadventure -- at the Grand Canyon during one of their stops along the way.

Key (far right) plays the Griswold's next-door neighbor, a snooty, well-traveled man who won't stop bragging about his trip to Paris. As you'd expect, that helps spark Rusty's single-minded desire to make the pilgrimage to Walley World.