Gremlins 3: Steven Spielberg Apparently Taking a Look at the Script

It has been known since the beginning of the year: A new "Gremlins" movie is in development! Now there is new information on the status of the project: according to the original actor Zach Galligan, the script has already been written. And Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider now also reports that the director of the project is an old acquaintance.

We're talking about Chris Columbus, the screenwriter of the original film from the 80s. According to information from The InSneider, Columbus will be responsible for both the direction and the script. Columbus is a true Hollywood veteran. In his long career, he has directed the first "Kevin: Home Alone" and the first two "Harry Potter" films, among others.

The role of Steven Spielberg

At the Comic-Con in Manchester, original actor Galligan also spoke about the fact that none other than Steven Spielberg will be looking over the script.

"After 35 years, they've come up with a script. Warner Bros. is incredibly interested in doing it, apparently it's waiting on Mr. Spielberg to read it and approve it."

The master director has already been involved in the first two "Gremlins" films as a producer. Whether he will also produce "Gremlins 3" again is still unknown.

In an interview with the portal Deadline, Warner Bros. co-CEO Pam Abdy expressed her anticipation for the new "Gremlins" film some time ago. According to Galligan, the fact that we are getting a new film in the series at all is due to "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice". Here, too, there was a late sequel to an 80s cult film. Its success has already led to a third "Beetlejuice" film being in development. Now the success has probably also led to "Gremlins 3".

A similar model is being followed with the "Goonies". A new movie is also in the works here. However, not too many details are known yet. Chris Columbus is once again involved in the development. As with "Gremlins", the screenwriter wrote the script for the original film. So Columbus currently has a lot to do. However, it is not yet known when his projects will see the light of day.

The "Gremlins" phenomenon

When Gremlins hit theaters in 1984, few could have predicted that the film would leave a lasting mark on the horror-comedy genre. Director Joe Dante, producer Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Chris Columbus created a unique mix of family fun and horror – and thus a pop-cultural phenomenon that resonated beyond the 80s.

A cute creature with a dark secret

At the center of "Gremlins" is the mogwai Gizmo – a furry, cute creature with big eyes. But with his care come three simple but momentous rules: No bright lights, don't get him wet and never feed him after midnight. What starts out like a harmless fantasy fairy tale quickly turns into a horror story when these rules are disregarded. Out of Gizmo emerge nasty, anarchic gremlins who plunge a small American town into chaos. The mixture of black humor, slapstick and genuine horror was quite fresh and daring at the time.

The fascination of "Gremlins"

What makes "Gremlins" so appealing? Above all, the extreme tonality: the film skillfully balances between harmless Christmas comedy and monster movie. This unpredictability gives the film its special charm. The visual design of the Gremlins is also particularly fascinating. Puppets and special effects were used to breathe life into the creatures. Their facial expressions, movements and grotesque humor are reminiscent of the energy of cartoons – only in a darker form.

"Gremlins 2: The New Batch"

The sequel "Gremlins 2" followed in 1990. This movie is still popular today. This time, the Gremlins run riot in a high-tech skyscraper that is also a TV station, shopping mall and research laboratory. The sequel is over-the-top, full of pop culture references and parodies both itself and Hollywood.

What awaits us in the future?

The "Gremlins" films are a prime example of creative genre cinema that cannot be pigeonholed. Gremlins have burned themselves into the collective cinematic memory. Their mixture of humor and horror is still special – but is it also timeless? It will be interesting to see what "Gremlins 3" will look like in the present day. Above all, we are looking at the effects in a modern "Gremlins" film – after all, the legendary puppets are an important feature of the series.