Beloved properties from my childhood like The X-Files, Practical Magic and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are currently getting the sequel/reboot treatment. We can now add Gremlins to the list. During a panel at Comic-Con Manchester, Zach Galligan (who played Billy) revealed that after more than a decade of chatter, there’s finally a Gremlins 3 script out there. The studio is into it, and everyone is just waiting on Steven Spielberg to give it the thumbs up.
While appearing at Comic-Con Manchester last week, Gremlins (1984) and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) star Zach Galligan gave an update on the long-awaited threequel to the Joe Dante-helmed Christmas creature features.
“After 35 years, they’ve come up with a script,” said Galligan in a TikTok clip. “Warner Bros. is incredibly interested in doing it, apparently it’s waiting on Mr. Spielberg to read it and approve it.”
The actor credited “the success” of last year’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice for getting Warner Bros. onboard for another installment of Gremlins.
Although it’s currently unknown who is writing the followup, OG screenwriter Christopher Columbus told Vanity Fair “that stuff is in my DNA” while reflecting on the film. “We had a lot of things that didn’t make the final script,” he added.
Since Columbus didn’t return for The New Batch, which was penned by Charles S. Haas, perhaps some of his ideas could make it to the screen this time around.
Starring Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Corey Feldman, Gremlins is about teenager Billy (Galligan), whose father gifts him a mysterious furry creature called a mogwai from Chinatown shop. With the ability to duplicate and turn into the titular monstrous creatures, the gremlins begin terrorizing Billy’s small town.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Spielberg’s Amblin Television, an animated prequel series premiered on HBO Max in 2023.
I’m shocked that it took this long for a Gremlins sequel. We’ve been hearing that a third movie is happening since at least early 2013. I bet this is getting pushed through the finish line because we’re also getting another Goonies, and possibly a second The Outsiders, movie. I am sure studio execs want to bring in older generations for nostalgia and younger generations for merchandising. Whenever this movie does come out, the temptation will be too great, and Mr. Rosie and I will take the kids to see it. Gah, we’re such stereotypes for falling right into that studio trap.
Photos credit: Avalon.red, Getty and via Instagram
Zac looks good.
He’s always reminded me of David Naughton.
Meh. Gremlins was a hit but Gremlins 2 didn’t fare well at BO. Do we really need a Gremlins 3? I do love Goonies and would equally love a sequel.
Gremlins 2 is amazing tho
Stereotypes and suckers. Count me as one.