A new Leprechaun movie is in development at Lionsgate. Per THR, it’s been revealed that the horror movie series is set to be rebooted at by the studio with an all-new feature film. Franchise star Warwick Davis is not expected to return, as the film is a reimagining that’s not directly connected to the previous movies. It will be directed by Felipe Vargas (Milk Teeth) with the screenplay coming from Mike Van Waes (Lilo & Stitch). Roy Lee (Barbarian, It films) is producing for Vertigo Entertainment alongside Miri Yoon.
“Thirty years after its debut, this franchise still casts a spell, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it back with a new vision,” Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group’s president of production, Erin Westerman, said in a statement. “Roy and Miri are two of our most trusted producers, especially with this genre, and we’re excited by Felipe’s vision for the film as a director. In his hands, this movie should be very scary and a ton of fun.”
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No specific plot details have been revealed about the new Leprechaun, but chances are, it will be about a killer leprechaun killing off victims one by one. The original movie, and its various sequels, were horror-comedy movies, showcasing as much humor as there was violence. Warwick Davis made the titular character iconic by playing the character over the course of six movies, concluding his run in the role with 2003’s Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood.
Related: Jennifer Aniston’s Leprechaun & Other Actors Who Did Horror Movies Before They Were Famous
Leprechaun Has Has Multiple Reboots
In 2014, WWE Studios teamed up with Lionsgate to give the Leprechaun series its first reboot. Pro wrestler Dylan “Hornswoggle” Postl portrayed the leprechaun in the movie, which was presented as a more dark and serious take on the character. Unfortunately, the film was not well-received at all, holding a 0% score at Rotten Tomatoes.
Another incarnation of the Irish killer was introduced in the 2018 reboot, Leprechaun Returns. The film was depicted as a direct sequel to the original Leprechaun movie, as it follows Taylor Spreitler as the daughter of Jennifer Aniston’s character. Davis did not reprise his role as the leprechaun for the sequel, as Linden Porco took on the role. Perhaps because it brought back the horror-comedy elements the franchise was known for, the movie fared better than Origins, ranking at 45% at Rotten Tomatoes.
“You know what we did six Leprechaun films and around Halloween people always watch them and love them,” Davis said about his run in the role in 2018, addressing why he didn’t return for Leprechaun Returns. “Horror is an interesting medium, I think it’s different when you have kids, you look at horror in a slightly different way. Since I finished the Leprechaun films I had kids and I see the world through their eyes and to be in a horror movie right now is probably not quite right, I will wait until my son turns 18 and then I’ll do some horror again.”
There’s no word yet on when the new Leprechaun reboot will be released, or who the next actor will be to play the iconic character.
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