Warwick Davis has revealed why he didn't come back for Syfy's Leprechaun Returns, the eighth installment in the long-running Leprechaun series. The actor, who has starred in six of the previous seven installments, opened up about his absence, but hinted at a possible return to horror at some point in the future.
The Leprechaun series follows a wisecracking Leprechaun in search of his pot of gold, and those in possession of it all meet gruesome ends. Davis was replaced with American wrestler Dylan "Hornswoggle" Postl in the 2014 reboot Leprechaun: Origins from WWE Films, and the titular character has since been recast once again in Syfy's direct sequel to the original 1993 movie, Leprechaun Returns. Similar to this year's Halloween, Leprechaun Returns will take place 25 years after the original, retconning all of its previous sequels, and is set around a group of college sorority girls who inadvertently summon the creature. Directed by The Void's Steven Kostanski, the film stars Taylor Spreitler, Pepi-Sonuga, Sai Bennett, Heather McDonald, and Mark Holton, who will reprise his role from the original.
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While Davis is noticeably absent in recent Leprechaun films, he explained to BANG ShowBiz that he won't be starring in the upcoming sequel on account of starting a family. He explained that even though he is still interested in horror, having children has changed his outlook on the genre, prompting him to refrain from taking on roles like the Leprechaun until his kids are older. He said:
"You know what, we did six 'Leprechaun' films, and around Halloween people always watch them and love them. Horror is an interesting medium. I think it's different when you have kids; you look at horror in a slightly different way. Since I finished the 'Leprechaun' films I had kids and I see the world through their eyes, and to be in a horror movie right now is probably not quite right. I will wait until my son turns 18 and then I'll do some horror again."
In Leprechaun Returns, Linden Porco is replacing Davis as the Leprechaun. This will be the second actor to replace Davis, following Postl in Leprechaun: Origins, whose version of the character was a complete reimagining of the Leprechaun, not only altering the physical portrayal, but Davis' trademark personality. In Leprechaun Returns, Porco will embody Davis' portrayal much more closely.
Though Mark Holton's character Ozzie will appear in the movie, there has been no word on other surviving characters from the first film showing up - though Jennifer Aniston's character is referenced. As for Davis, he will always be known for his role as the Leprechaun, but perhaps Linden Porco can carve his own mark in the series.
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Leprechaun Returns will be available for digital download on December 11, 2018.
Source: BANG Showbiz