While a lot of users love to think that TASM or DOFP are the bestest movies of all time, they don't have an appreciation for the classics. One of my favourite movies growing up was both
Gremlins and
Gremlins 2; and while it's been 30 and 24 years since those respective titles, it seems that the love for the franchise is still strong.
I think a part of this is the timelessness of the original, less so it's sequel, but it's a standard tale, set within a small town. All you need to do is follow the three classic rules, and you're set. In this sense, it's a surprise that Gremlins isn't an anthology series like
True Detective or
American Horror Story where it has similar beats but changes up the characters and setting slightly.
For a while, rumors have floated all over the internet for some time, we're now getting solid confirmations that Morgan Jurgenson (
Tucker & Dale Vs Evil) and Alex Ankeles (
Subdivision) have written a script that won over both Warner Bros. and Chris Columbus (writer of the first
Gremlins). All these two need is Steven Speilbergs approval; and they're also apparently trying to get Joe Dante, who directed the first two, to direct this reboot.
The term reboot carries a negative connotation these days. A lot of people get pretty mad when something along the lines of "________________ getting a reboot" gets announced. While there's more then a few skeptics of Gremlins getting a reboot, I think it's the best possible option for the franchise.
First off, if you're going to tell me that you're going to have a harrowing adventure with Phoebe Cates and Zach Galligan then good luck. The two of them are certainly not getting any younger, and while their offspring are a viable option (and one that will keep some reference to the original) I also think that we could see someone else on the 'Heroes Journey'
When you look at the original Gremlins, it had a lot in common with a movie like Star Wars or Back to the Future; Billy was stuck in a bit of a rut, was ultimately challenged by the threat of the Gremlins, and ultimately overcame the creatures and got to take Phobe Cates to bed (presumably).
This structure is a basic one, and all you need to do is have Gizmo or another Mogwhi come into the hands of a new young (wo)man who is equally challenged. Rumors of a reboot have been floating around for years, if not a decade, but in this case -- it's fairly simple to carry these ideas forward into a new setting.
That's not all though. What made Gremlins and its sequel so great among the many other heroes journeys is that unlike the Chituari, the Orcs from those Lord of the Rings movies, an all those other movies with an army of minions is that the Gremlins had personality, and both as Mogwhis or Gremlins, they crammed in a lot of personality and cultural references. Hell, Gizmo became Rambo in the last little part of Gremlins 2.
and of course there's all the Christmas references crammed into the first.
My point is, you can reboot Gremlins Warner Bros., it's not like this franchise is specific to an actor, or setting, or anything like that. It's a timeless tale in that regard. As long as it has a good story, great characters, and fun pop culture references, I'll be there to enjoy it!