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Chris Columbus Clueless on Gremlins 3, Talks Other Sequels

by Ethan Anderton
February 5, 2010
Source: ComingSoon

Just last month, we got wind of a somewhat unlikely, but thoroughly infuriating rumor that would bring the classic slimy 80's monsters Gremlins back to theaters in a 3-D sequel. Fortunately, ComingSoon sat down with writer/director Chris Columbus (who wrote the Gremlins script) who delivered some relief. "I spoke to Steven Spielberg a couple days ago and said, 'You know, I've been reading on the internet about this Gremlins 3-D' and no one's approached him either, so I don't know if that's really true." However, Columbus was slightly more open to the possibilities of sequels to The Goonies, and even Mrs. Doubtfire as well.

Expanding on the concept of a Gremlins sequel, Columbus reiterates a few of the same reasons that I was more than hesitant about returning to that time in 80's horror/comedy, but he's not nearly as opposed to it:

"It would be fun to go back and revisit [them]. Something like 'Gremlins,' which is a movie I really like, I think it's impossible to recreate in a CGI environment. I think it will inevitably lose some of its charm. Those are edgy Muppets in a sense and you don't want to lose that sense of anarchy that those Gremlins had, because behind the scenes are 25 puppeteers making them to come to life."

Glad we're on the same page, Mr. Columbus. However, one film that I am anxious to revisit again, he seems interested in as well, but Columbus and Spielberg agree that it needs to be just right. "Goonies would have to be the Goonies on their own as parents and their children doing something." We've heard this before, but it sounds like coming up with another great adventure is what's holding them back. "As Steven said, 'How can you really be going underground finding another gigantic pirate ship filled with treasure? What can be the next adventure?'" I don't know an answer to that either, but I'd sure as hell pay to see it.

One sequel that I can't see myself ever paying to see, or even feigning interest in, is a follow-up to the Robin Williams family comedy hit Mrs. Doubtfire (from 1993). Don't get me wrong, I loved that movie as a kid and still enjoy it today, but I can't see a practical or even demanding story that would require Robin Williams character Daniel Hillard to dress up like the old nanny again. Columbus' thoughts about a possible sequel aren't too promising either: "Mrs. Doubtfire is an interesting idea for a sequel because it's the one time in film history where you can revisit the character and they'll be the same age 15 years later. Because of the make-up, people can see Mrs. Doubtfire again and nothing has changed about her, which I think is kind of interesting." I'm not sure what he's getting at with that statement, but it doesn't sound that good at all.

Anyway, it's good news that Gremlins isn't as likely as it might have seemed, and these other sequels don't sound like they're any closer to being realized either, so hopefully Columbus will keep working on new stuff, even if it is an adaptation like Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I think Columbus still has some greatness in him, but only time will tell if it works its way out again. Anyone want to see any of these sequels?

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