It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new about a potentialGremlins 3, but if the sequel eventually happens, fans can rest assured it’ll stay true to the heart of the first two films. The firstGremlinswas the movie that put filmmakerChris Columbuson the map, asSteven Spielbergspotted his horror-tinged screenplay and sparked to the title immediately. Spielberg produced, Columbus wrote, andJoe Dantedirected the Christmas-set horror comedy that was released in 1984 and instantly created a devoted fanbase that remains passionate to this day.
Dante would go on to make a more satirical sequel calledGremlins 2: The New Batch, but over the past few years Columbus has been working to get a full-onGremlins 3off the ground. When I spoke with Columbus for an episode ofCollider Connectedrecorded during the press day for his new Netflix filmThe Christmas Chronicles: Part Two(which he co-wrote and directed), I asked ifGremlins 3might happen, and he offered an update:
“I would love to do it. I wrote a script, so there is an existing script. We’re working out some rights issues right now, so we’re just trying to figure out when the best time to make that film would be. I would still do it the same way – I would do it as tangible puppets, not CGI. Maybe having — you know we had one stop-motion scene in the firstGremlins, but I don’t think I’d use much CGI inGremlins3.”
As recently as 2017, Columbus was teasing a “twisted and dark” screenplay he wrote for a proposed third feature, but those rights issues that he alluded to in our interview remain. In 2019, Warner Bros. gained registered trademark of theGremlinsname and franchise, and immediately greenlit an animated TV series adaptation of the propertythat’s headed to HBO Max.
But I’d really love to see what Columbus could bring to the franchise over three decades later, especially as he maintains the movie should be made with puppets and not CGI – which is absolutely the right call. Here’s hoping someday that comes to fruition.
Look for our full Collider Connected episode with Columbus – which delves intoHome Alone,Harry Potterand more – on Collider on Thanksgiving Day.
