Christmas movie season is upon us, and while some families will be settling down in front of the TV to watch It's a Wonderful Life or Home Alone, others will be getting into the holiday spirit with a re-watch of the horror-comedy classic Gremlins. Released in 1984, the Chris Columbus-scripted film featured creatures of a mysterious origin who were as cute and cuddly as could be... that is, until they were fed after midnight.
The movie saw a sequel in 1990 with Gremlins 2, which had a more satirical edge than its predecessor as well as a wider array of new, genetically modified gremlins. While that movie was somewhat of a box office bomb in comparison, earning only around $41.5 million compared to the original's $153 million, it has since achieved cult status. Now, 25 years later, the tiny terrors may get another chance to take a dip in the water and engage in some late-night snacking.
While previous indications had been that Gremlins 3 would be a remake rather than a sequel, a recent statement from series star Zach Galligan indicates otherwise. According to Galligan:
"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."
Galligan made the comments during a screening of the original Gremlins in London. He also commented on the likelihood of his character's return to the series, telling the audience:
"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."
If the third Gremlins movie does indeed end up as a full-fledged sequel to the first two, then it seems natural that Galligan would at least make a cameo appearance. Then again, the film could end up going the way of Jurassic World and revolve around an entirely new assortment of characters in the same Gremlins film universe.
Previous Gremlins films arguably found a nice tonal balance between humor and horror, and that tone could easily be lost in a remake or reboot, as is so often the case. A true sequel would be more likely to capture the essence of the series, especially if Columbus has any input into it (which it would appear he does).
Carl Ellsworth (Disturbia) was reportedly brought onboard to pen the next Gremlins installment earlier this year, but outside of that new and the continued involvement of Seth Grahame-Smith as a producer, there's seemingly not been much progress made on the film recently. It remains to be seen if they (or anyone) can deliver another solid Gremlins movie, but it's nice to see that there will be some continuity with the rest of the series. Hopefully that doesn't extend to a President Daniel Clamp too, though.
We'll bring you more information on Gremlins 3 when we have it.
Source: Gamesradar