Hollywood is set to reboot a number of 80s classics over the next few years, including the likes of Flight of the Navigator, Highlander, RoboCop and Short Circuit, and now according to Vulture we might soon be able to add another to the list, with Warner Bros. said to be in negotiations with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to remake the 1984 comedy-horror Gremlins.
Directed by Joe Dante, Gremlins centres around a teenager (portrayed by Zach Galligan) who receives a rather unusual Christmas present – a ‘Mogwai’ named Gizmo who has to be kept away from bright lights and water, and must never, ever be fed after midnight. When Gizmo accidentally gets wet, he spans five ‘gremlins’ – wicked little buggers who go on to cause havoc around the town of Kingston Falls. A smash-hit upon its release, Gremlins went on to spawn the bonkers sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, along with a host of cheap knock-offs such as the Critters and Ghoulies franchises.
Apparantly (and unsurprisingly) this isn’t the first time that a studio has tried to secure the rights to remake Gremlins, although Spielberg’s deal has always proved too costly. However Vulture’s sources claim this latest effort might actually come together, although Spielberg’s reps have so far refused to comment.
Originally published January 17, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
