Hey folks, Harry here... So our buddy Fred Topel over at /Film ran a story after he talked with Chris Columbus about the GREMLINS 3 script that he's got in development at Warner Brothers. By all means - rush over to read Fred's story. You'll hear about Columbus discussing returning to the scarier & darker nature of the first film, rather than just the sublime genius of the second film. You'll also find Columbus talking about how it'd be a Puppet based project, where CG would be used to erase strings and rods and thus make Puppeteers free to go nuts. Which is probably a great thing.
But the entire time I'm reading - I'm thinking... Where's Joe Dante's name? Why did our pal Fred not say, "JOE DANTE MUST DIRECT THIS!" - I think that's cuz it feels like Chris Columbus is directing this, though that is never said. SO... I decided to reach out to Mister Dante and ask if he was involved in any way on the GREMLINS 3 project. His immediate answer was "NOPE" - I responded... simply... "HEARTBREAK" - this is when Dante volunteered, "Wasn't Asked."
WASN'T ASKED.
Warner Brothers has an opportunity here to complete a Trilogy with its original director. A brilliant director. One whose personal sense of tone, style & humor is infused throughout. This should absolutely be a Joe Dante film. What do you good folks think?
Keep it cool,
Harry