Chris Columbus and Joe Dante’s Gremlins is one of those films that you constantly hear rumblings about a remake. It is understandable as the film is well known, one of the main selling points for a executive looking to maximize his studio’s already existing IP.
Last April, Deadline reported that Goosebumps screenwriter Carl Ellsworth had been brought on board to script a potential new Gremlins film. Now the star of the original 1984 film and its 1990 sequel, Zach Galligan – while speaking at a Q&A session following a screening of the original film in London this past week – has confirmed that the project is in development and that it will be a continuation of the first two films and not a remake.
It’s not going to be a reboot. It will not be a remake in any way, shape, or form. Chris Columbus has come out and said that the first film is very near and dear to his heart and as long as he is alive it will never be remade. So the only thing they will be, and apparently are going to be doing, is something along the lines of like Jurassic World, where it will be 30 years later.
Given that Jurassic World did big business at the box office over the summer, some executives may be thinking that attempting to relaunch a franchise may be the better option than just remaking a film in terms of currying potential ticket buyers’ favor.
The original film starred Galligan as a teenager who receives as a gift a small furry creature with some very explicit care instructions. After those instructions are disregarded, Galligan’s character’s hometown is soon overrun with at first mischievous and then downright belligerent gremlins.
As to how much Gremlins 3 may draw from the first two is still undetermined. Although he stated that “some of the characters from the first one” could reappear in this new installment, Galligan was not sure if that meant himself or not.
I swear on my life, I don’t know if I’m in it or not, but I think there is probably a decent chance since I’m one of the few people left standing from the first movie.
Galligan also commented that the film’s popularity seems to be as strong as ever.
In some ways [Gremlins is] bigger now than it was back then due to the internet. It seems to still speak to people across the years. I think that’s because the film’s not very date specific. My hairstyle is maybe the most dated thing in the movie.
Via BBC.
