Gremlins 3is something that has been talked about so much, so often now that it is easily starting to feel like something that will never happen. However, Hollywood is currently pretty big on making long-overdue sequels, so there is still hope. It is still in development apparently, because starZach Galliganrecently offered an update on the status of the movie, and a pretty in-depth one at that.
Bleeding Coolrecently caught up with the star ofGremlinsandGremlins 2and asked him about the long-awaited sequel (pushing 30 years now) and he was more than happy to offer up any information he had. First, he confirmed that bothSteven SpielbergandChris Columbusare involved. Moreover, it sounds likeChris Columbuswants to sort of redeem the franchise following what happened withGremlins 2, which he didn’t direct. Here is whatZach Galliganhad to say.
“I think you can tell what’s happening withGremlins 3the same way you could tell withGremlins 2. It’s the same people and they tend to work the same way. There is a huge time gap but it’s Warner Bros, Spielberg andChris Columbus. Now, Chris Columbus didn’t have anything to do withGremlins 2- because by his own admission he didn’t see a franchise. He kind of regrets it I believe, but he was ‘one and done’ I don’t think he cared forGremlins 2and the direction some of the characters went in, so he’s kind of wrestled control back. Everything I’m quoting is stuff he’s publicly said.”
Passion tends to be good for a project, so ifZach Galliganis right andChris Columbusreally does want to sort of take ownership of the franchise again withGremlins 3, that could definitely be a good thing. Now, as for whatGremlins 3would be exactly? He couldn’t give any specifics, but he did say in terms of the approach, it would mirror what Disney and Lucasfilm did withStar Wars: The Force Awakensand he confirmed thatCarl Ellsworthis currently working on the script, at least to the best of his knowledge.
“He (Chris Columbus) has been aggressively working on aGremlins 3that takes place in present day. He tantalisingly says there will be some NEW characters and some OLD characters - I guess in the style of a Force Awakens type sequel - One thing we know for sure is they have a writer on board. The only insight I can give is the following: There was a 6 year gap between Gremlins and Gremlins 2 most of that time was spent with them writing and rejecting ideas and re-writing. One of the ideas that was rejected was ‘gremlins in Vegas’ they went with that for 18 months and felt it was too expensive. Eventually they came up with the tower idea, where essentially I’m working for Donald Trump our new President! That took six years to happen.Carl Ellsworth, has been apparently working on the script for a year and a half now. If no new names start appearing on the IMDB listing then that means they like the script. If new names start appearing, y’knowKevin Smithappears, it means it’s back in rewrites with a new vision. Warner Bros definitely wants it,Chris Columbuswants to do it because he’d like to undo theGremlins 2thing as he wasn’t thrilled with it andSpielbergwants to do it I imagine - because he’s Spielberg - and why wouldn’t he want to do it. Once he’s found the right script he can attach his name and make a ton of money. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
So even though nothing sounds overly concrete or like there is any serious traction onGremlins 3, but it sounds like it is definitely being worked on and the right people are interested in doing it. Everyone wants a franchise and Warner Bros. is heavily franchise focused right now, so if they could do aForce Awakensstyle reboot/sequel and milk some more sequels out ofGremlins, that would be good for everyone. That said,Zach Galliganisn’t sure any of those sequels will involve him. Here is what he had to say.
“Right, they want it to happen, whether I’m in it or not I have no idea. I’ve had people say it’s kind of hard to see how they wouldn’t use you and Gizmo, but I have no idea. Of course, there’s always a way. They could exclude me completely, you never know. But, here’s the thing; they started shooting Gremlins 2 on memorial day weekend 1989 around 27th May, I got the offer to do Gremlins 2 in February. It’s 3 months before the shoot commenced and they still haven’t contacted me or Phoebe (Cates) I’m sure it’s a negotiating ploy, “its up, it’s running, here’s the money, take it or leave it?” ha.”
The originalGremlinswas a big box office hit in 1984, grossing $153 million, which was a lot more impressive at the time.Gremlins 2: The New Batchenjoyed much more modest success, but it was still successful. But the first movie recently celebrated its 30th anniversary andGremlins 2is fast approaching that mark, so maybe it is simply too late, but with Warner Bros. still developing it anything is possible. If the right idea comes up or the right star gets attached, things could get moving fast.
