For decades the three rules of the Gremlins movies have been as important as the one rule for a second sequel: “don’t do it, unless you’re absolutely sure.” Well, it looks like confidence has entered the chat over at Warner Bros, as the next chapter of the Mogwai/Gremlins saga is moving forward – and with a release date in the not-too-distant future on the books!
Gremlins 3 Is On The Way!
During today’s third quarter earnings call for Warner Bros. Discovery (via THR), CEO David Zaslav unveiled the greenlight for the long developing three-quel. At the moment, Gremlins 3 is being prepped for a November 19, 2027 release, with early details revealing original scribe and blockbuster veteran Chris Columbus is on board. The Harry Potter helmer will produce, direct, and even co-write Gremlins 3, with executive producer Steven Spielberg also getting back to the land of the Mogwai.
Final Destination Bloodlines co-directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein round out the co-writing team for the picture – which is still a gigantic furry mystery. Considering what they did with New Line’s legacy horror franchise, I can safely say that the project does look to be in good hands. That being said, there’s one player I’m sad to see absent from this Gremlins universe; and that’s where my concerns come in.
I Really Wish Joe Dante Was Involved In Gremlins 3
Despite having served as creative consultant on the recent animated series on HBO Max, original director Joe Dante does not seem to be a part of Gremlins 3. Not having the iconic helmer who brought the first two pictures to market does give me pause, even if the band is mostly back together. Without Dante’s genre sensibilities and love of off-beat humor and B-movie mayhem, it’s hard to give my heart over totally to this picture.
Though Gremlins 3 has been talked about for ages, the worry has always been that the story needs to be right. Also, the potential for creature effects to be shunned in favor of CGI has also been a huge sticking point. Even the few ads that have tapped into the iconography of Gizmo and his foes have kept that in mind, as you’ll see in this Mountain Dew ad from 2021:
It’s early days for Gremlins 3’s journey to the big screen! For now, all we can say is that November 19, 2027 is the day the Gremlins come back – provided they stick to the schedule, of course.
That Hashtag Show
