Leeds lad Joel stars in Yorkshire firm’s Home Alone spoof

It’s one of the most famous Christmas films of all time - and now a lucky Leeds youngster has had his chance to play Home Alone’s Kevin McAllister in electronic store Maplin’s hilarious new advert.
By Victoria Finan
Published 4th Dec 2015, 12:04 BST
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic film Home Alone Maplin have recreated modern versions form the film using gadgets form the store.To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic film Home Alone Maplin have recreated modern versions form the film using gadgets form the store.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic film Home Alone Maplin have recreated modern versions form the film using gadgets form the store.

The ad, modelled on the famous party scene in the children’s classic - which turned 25 this year - shows how modern technology would have changed the film, had it been made today.

In the original film, Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, ingeniously uses train sets and strings to convince the Wet Bandits intruders into believing a house party is taking place at his home.

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But in Rotherham-based Maplin’s new advert, a plucky youngster - played by 9-year-old Joel Martin, of Farsley - uses robots and drones to ward off the burglars after he is alerted to their presence by his iPad.

Joel said: “I’ve seen Home Alone loads of times and love the film, my mum and dad have the DVD and we always watch it at Christmas time.

“I was really excited to re-create the scene as it looked like so much fun in the film and I’ve always wanted to be in a Hollywood film.”

Oliver Meakin, spokesperson for Maplin, says: “We all know Christmas hasn’t really begun until you are cosy on the couch watching Home Alone, but when we realised it was 25 years old we just had to find out what a modern Kevin would use to ward off Harry and Marv.

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“We had lots of fun filming the tribute scene, and I think it’s fair to say that Christmas 2015 technology would have helped Kevin – he could have even Skyped his family!”

All the electronic products featured in the advert can be bought at the Rotherham-based Maplin.

Related topics:LeedsYorkshireRotherham