In this time of taking the beloved movies of our past and remaking every single one of them (some successfully; most in painfully failing fashion), it goes with all common logic that the titles that aren’t being remade, would go ahead and make a sequel. After years of talking about a third Ghostbusters movie that we assumed would never come, it’s officially in motion; and now comes word that the sometimes talked about Gremlins 3 may be on the way, as well.
As we all know, Gremlins is about little creatures called Mogwai that have strict rules against sunlight, feeding them after midnight, and getting them wet. Breaking these rules can either kill them, or cause a terrifying transformation into little green monsters that will terrorize whoever them come into contact with. The first film is a classic in which the creatures destroy a little town at Christmas, while the sequel was a little less classic and had them taking over a gigantic business complex along with new, genetically mutated Gremlins who can speak and fly.
Both creator Chris Columbus, and director Joe Dante chimed in on word that the movie might take place.
Here’s what Dante had to say about it all:
I hear they’re going to make another one soon. I can see why – it would be stupid to let that title go to waste. The actors from the first two are too old to do a proper sequel, so I’m sure when the new one arrives it will be a remake of the original.
Here’s Columbus’s take:
I haven’t heard about it. If they do the monsters with CGI, I don’t know if it would be the same. They should go back and do it with puppets again, though at this point I wouldn’t be interested in being involved.
While the original actors are much, much older now, it’s not like they’re doing anything at the moment. I don’t see why they couldn’t still try and get them for a new movie, and it would definitely do better than a remake would likely do — especially because, as these gentlemen explained, a remake likely means CGI use. Whether they go and get a new cast, or they go and get the old cast doesn’t matter at all; what matter is: if they make the Gremlins CGI, the movie will be loathed, and it will fail.
I can honestly say if they stepped away from lazy-ass Hollywood and actually put a little f’n effort into making another Gremlins movie with the fantastic puppets and animatronics we’ve seen in previous movies, I would actually be interested in seeing what they came up with. CGI, however, is a complete, and utter disgrace to the franchise. That would be like John McClane himself not swearing! Blasphemy!
We can all hope that they make the correct decision here.
[Source: Empire]
With the possibility of a ‘Gremlins 3’ looming on the horizon, can ‘Howard the Duck 2’ be too far behind?
Note to Hollywood, not all 80s movies need or should even be rebooted or given a sequel – Tron (and maybe Masters of the Universe) being the most obvious exception to that rule.
Comment by burning_chrome — August 2, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
I demand another balls to wall Jaws movie! The last one sucked ass!
Comment by korollocke — August 3, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
I think a Gremlins 3 would not only blow minds, but should be done with neither puppets nor CGI.
Hire Spike Jonze, and the effects and costume designers from “Wild the Wild Things Are” and create the Mogwai under the same pretense as the Wild Things. Granted, it wouldn’t be live actors in suits with digital faces, but the same concept could turn lovable and funny Gremlins into something real, tangible, and alltogether epic.
Comment by Nate — October 24, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
The effects on wild things are good for a gremlin sequel but the only down side is pheobe is 45 and zach is 44 most of the cast of the 1984 thrill ride had grown old like dick miller and Hoyt axton has even passes away same with keye Luke they can’t make a gremlins film without them I want a new gremlins film real bad but it’s going to be really difficult unless the make it with only gizmo or maybe in Zach and pheobe I don’t know all I’m saying is that gremlins three would have a good story line but in 1984 zach was like 17 and now he’s 44 but it can’t be that bad I mean there still young enough I guess but it’s a little odd to make another sequel after about 31 years if there is a sequel then that’s fantasic and I can’t wait.
Comment by Anthony — December 31, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
Besides the actros, wouldn’t Gizmo be a little old by now? What is a Mogwai’s life span?
Nate – wouldn’t what you described be puppets? I agree they would probably do a good job, but if they’re making tiny little Mogwai’s and Gremlins, it can’t be people in costumes so they would be puppets.
Comment by Mervin — January 3, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
The author of this article obviously hasn’t seen CG in the last decade. Two good examples are Where The Wild Things Are (puppets + CG) and Avatar (CG + motion capture). CG is a perfectly viable solution for a Gremlins 3, and wouldn’t be done any other way.
Comment by Tim W — January 18, 2010 @ 4:33 pm