Tim Allen Says Home Improvement Reboot Stalls Over Cast

Tim Allen says the Home Improvement revival has stalled because of “personality problems” involving the actors who played his on-screen sons—Zachery Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Taran Noah Smith—while the original cast’s current paths and recent setba

For years, Home Improvement fans have circled back to one question: could the revival actually happen? Tim Allen’s answer, at least for now, comes with a specific obstacle—one tied directly to the people who would have to return.

Allen told Us Weekly in June 2026 that production has “gotten ‘stuck’” because certain cast members “get stuck [because] there are some personality problems right now with the boys.” He was referring to Zachery Ty Bryan. Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith. the actors who played his on-screen sons.

“They keep talking about how it could move forward. but they get stuck [because] there are some personality problems right now with the boys. ” Allen said. He added, “They’ve got their own issues. I always thought it would be cool if it was a story about them. That’s a little challenging right now, to put it mildly.”.

The comments put the spotlight on the cast question—whether this reboot stays connected to the original family or starts over with different faces entirely.

Allen has remained busy with Toy Story 5, where he reprises his role as Buzz Lightyear. Patricia Richardson, who played Jill on Home Improvement, has continued working in film and TV, with her most recent credits listed as Grey’s Anatomy, Shifting Gears and A County Line: No Fear.

For Bryan, the recent timeline has been harder. Bryan was arrested in November 2025 for a domestic violence violation. Before that, he’d been arrested on suspicion of DUI, felony assault and robbery.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas’ absence from acting is also part of the picture. Richardson said in a 2024 podcast interview that Thomas wasn’t “interested in acting” anymore. And Taran Noah Smith is included in Allen’s June 2026 remarks about the “boys” and the complications around moving forward.

With those details in play, there’s one clear answer to the casting question—at least so far. No, the new Home Improvement show has not been cast yet. Despite Allen’s desire for a revival, the needle hasn’t moved yet, and no official cast announcement has been made.

Allen’s view of what’s holding things up circles back to the idea that the reboot may have to reckon with the same trio it would ideally build around. When asked about the reboot cast. he pointed to “personality issues. ” likely reflecting Bryan’s legal troubles and the fact that Thomas and Smith aren’t positioned. at least as of now. to cleanly return.

Allen has also described what he’d want the revival to be about. In June 2026, he said he “always thought it would be cool if it was a story about” Brad, Randy and Mark—the sons at the center of Home Improvement’s family dynamic.

The tension. then. is built into the storyline Allen imagined: a reboot that focuses on the sons only works if those original actors are able and willing to be part of the next chapter. For now. that’s the sticking point—and it’s the one fans may have to wait out before they get their updated Tool Time.

Home Improvement reboot Tim Allen Zachery Ty Bryan Jonathan Taylor Thomas Taran Noah Smith Patricia Richardson Toy Story 5 Buzz Lightyear entertainment news casting