Gremlins 3 screenwriter and co-producer Chris Columbus talked up his “twisted and dark” puppet-filled sequel.
Columbus said his script is more in line with the darker tone of the original film compared to the lighthearted sequel. And, unfortunately, there’s not much word on when the movie will enter production.
“I’m really proud of the script,” Columbus said to /Film. “It is as twisted and dark as anything, so we’ll see. It’s always a budgetary conversation when we’re going to shoot it. I wanted to go back to the really twisted sensibility of the first movie. I found that was a very easy place for me to fall back into and start writing again so hopefully we’ll see that movie soon.”
He also said that Gizmo, the adorable creature that spawned the monstrous gremlins that caused havoc and this amazing film franchise, might face his comeuppance for all that he’s caused.
“That comes up in the movie, certainly,” Columbus said. “I think [eliminating Gizmo] probably is a good idea to be honest with you.”
“Too many people are dying,” Columbus said. But those people are probably way uglier than Gizmo so Columbus really needs to think if the human race is worth it.
Columbus is certainly looking out for the human race in another way. Instead of 21st century CGI blobs, puppets will return for Gremlins 3.
“CGI will enable us to remove wires and make the puppeteers’ lives a little easier,” Columbus said. “It was brutal. It was like a marathon every night for those guys. In the bar scene [in the original movie] alone there were 18 [or] 20 people behind the bar. No one had any space to move. It was just hellish for those guys so CGI will simplify that a little bit but it’s all puppets.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcWJaHZBEw0
The original Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante and scripted by Columbus, was released in 1984 and became the fourth highest-grossing film of the year behind Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Gremlins 2: The New Batch, directed by Dante but lacking Columbus in the writing room, was released in 1990 and grossed about 73% less than its predecessor.
A third Gremlins film has been discussed as far back as 2013 when the project was a reboot. That idea stalled in 2015, but wasn’t exactly cancelled. The last word on the film was spoken in 2016 when the original films’ star, Zach Galligan, talked about Columbus regaining control of his babies after being displeased with the second film and setting this project as a sequel instead of a reboot.
“Now, Chris Columbus didn’t have anything to do with Gremlins 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,’” Galligan said. “I don’t think he cared for Gremlins 2 and the direction some of the characters went in, so he’s kind of wrested control back. Everything I’m quoting is stuff he’s publicly said: ‘There will NEVER be a remake. There will NEVER be a reboot. There will only be a SEQUEL.'”
