Former child star Zack Ward might be all grown up, but he can’t seem to escape that beating he took as a child in the movie A Christmas Story. Released in 1983, the classic holiday film starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker, a young boy who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Meanwhile, he is continuously taunted by local bully Scut Farkus (Ward). This comes to a head when an angered Ralphie lashes out and attacks Scut, giving him a bloody nose as a receipt for all the bullying.

39 years later, the story continues in HBO Max’s legacy sequel A Christmas Story Christmas. Billingsley and Ward both reprise their respective roles as Ralphie and Scut, while other returning characters include Ian Petrella as Randy Parker, R.D. Robb as Schwartz, and Scott Schwartz as Flick. The film follows an adult Ralphie returning to his hometown for Christmas wherein he reunites with his childhood friends, as well as his old bully.

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Speaking about A Christmas Story Christmas (via 10tv), Ward has nothing but high praise for the sequel. As the actor explains, he feels that it’s the perfect follow-up to the classic original, serving to put a bookend on the story in a satisfying way. Connecting to the original film in such a big way rather than trying to remake A Christmas Story is why Ward feels fans are enjoying the movie.

Ward certainly has an idea of just how much people still regularly watch A Christmas Story. Even after almost four decades, the former child actor has fans reminding him about his beating from Ralphie everywhere he goes. But that’s not to say they’re taunting him about it in a way Scut Farkus would approve of. In fact, fans also tend to offer hugs after mentioning the assault.

Scut Farkus Returns in A Christmas Story Christmas

     HBO Max

For those who have yet to see the film, Ward doesn’t want to spoil any surprises by speaking about what happens in the new movie. He teased that it’s something that can go either way, as many fans have probably wondered what happened with these characters. Perhaps after all this time, Scut has buried his inner bully and become more of a Santa Claus? Or… maybe not.

You won’t have to wait to watch the film and find out as A Christmas Story Christmas is now streaming on HBO Max.