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Benj Thall says the cast of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey still keeps in touch 33 years later
Speaking to PEOPLE, Thall reflected on the film as a “magical” turning point that led to his career behind the camera, including a recent collaboration with director Duwayne Dunham
He also shared sweet updates on his former costars, adding the experience keeps them all “forever a kid”
More than three decades after Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey became a beloved family classic, one of its stars says the bond between the cast remains as strong as ever.
Benj Thall, who played older brother Peter, tells PEOPLE exclusively that he still keeps in touch with his on-screen siblings — Veronica Lauren (who played Hope) and Kevin Chevalia (who played Jamie) — 33 years later.
Released in 1993, Homeward Bound follows three beloved pets — Shadow, a wise golden retriever; Chance, an impulsive American bulldog; and Sassy, a pampered Himalayan cat — who embark on a perilous journey through the wilderness to reunite with their family. After being temporarily left on a ranch, the animals set out on their own, facing rivers, mountains and wild predators along the way, all driven by their loyalty and belief that they belong with their humans. Narrated through the animals’ inner voices, the film also featured voiceover work by Sally Field, Michael J. Fox, and Don Ameche.
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Benji Thall, Kevin Chevalia, Veronica Lauren, 1996Credit: Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Reflecting on the experience, Thall, now 47, tells PEOPLE he’s come full circle with many members of the cast and crew throughout his career. Thall continues to work as an actor as well as working behind the scenes, as an editor and producer — with his love for film coming from his time on set.
“The making of the film was such a magical, incredible coming-of-age moment for me,” he says. “As I already saw at that point how much I wanted to be in film and be on set, work as a director.”
That early spark ultimately shaped his professional path — and even brought him back together with Homeward Bound’s director, Duwayne Dunham, years later.
“He’s a mentor of mine,” Thall says, adding that Dunham recently finished a film that Thall edited and that working together felt especially meaningful given their shared creative evolution.
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“And he’s a director who not only is a director, but he’s also an editor, which is sort of my journey as well,” Thall adds. “And Homeward Bound was his first movie. And so for it to be such a classic movie, and then for us to reconnect later and work on another movie now in the role of as an editor for him was just a joy.”
Off-screen, Thall says the other relationships he built during filming have endured, including a close bond with actor Robert Hays, who played his father.
“We have a really, really strong relationship and I’m friends with his son,” Thall says of Hays.
Thall has also reunited with his on-screen siblings over the years, including at anniversary celebrations: “I saw Veronica. We had a 30th anniversary and she came and we’re supposed to get together again for the second movie [Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, released in 1996] anniversary.”
Thall also shared an update on Chevalia — one that mirrors his childhood interests in a surprising way.
“And Jamie — Kevin Chavalia — is amazing. He was a little boy in the first movie, a little boy who was in love with trains and wore his little train conductor outfit to set,” Thall recalls. “And lo and behold, he’s now a train conductor.”
He adds: “He drives trains across the country. How wonderful.”
In fact, Chevalia even stayed true to that passion when attending a cast reunion.
“When he came out for the 30th anniversary, he organized it so he took a train,” Thall notes.
Looking back, Thall says the film’s legacy has allowed him and his castmates to hold onto something special — both their memories and their youth. He stops himself as he describes Chevalia as “a really, really sweet kid.”
“Well — he’s an adult. But forever a kid to me,” he says, adding: “I’m forever a kid, I guess. That’s the benefit of the movie is that I get to stay a kid.”
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