I’ve never understood the upset about movie remakes – or in this case, a “remakequel,” not seeing remakes as detracting from the original versions of films but complementing them. Remaking a beloved film or picking up with a sequel thirty years later can be a dicey proposition, but also incredibly exciting if you get the right people behind it. At worst, the original will always exist. At best, we get a different version of that film that is equally as good, one that puts its own spin on a property and offers up something fresh and new. It’s the best of both worlds.
That’s why the news of TriStar’s sequel-reboot (hence “remakequel”) of Labyrinth is incredibly intriguing: Deadline reports that Doctor Strange‘s Scott Derrickson will be helming the sequel with Maggie Levin (Into the Dark, Miss 2059) penning the script. Lisa Henson of the Jim Henson company will be producing with Brian Henson serving as executive producer. Derrickson will also be serving as EP along with his longtime writing partner and collaborator, C. Robert Cargill.
This is an interesting and welcome turn of events for Derrickson, who is known for having a distinct and uncompromising vision as a filmmaker. Earlier this year, he parted ways with Marvel as the director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to the always-ubiquitous creative differences, though he remains on board as EP. It was announced last month that Sam Raimi will be directing the Doctor Strange sequel for Marvel, instead. In March, it was announced that Derrickson had signed up to direct and co-write (with Cargill) Bermuda, Skydance’s long-gestating action-adventure set in the Bermuda Triangle, with Chris Evans reportedly eyeing the lead. Coincidentally, Raimi had once been attached to that project.
But getting to work with the Jim Henson Company is a special kind of special. The dark fantasy of Labyrinth is right in the wheelhouse of Derrickson, one of the more cerebral and metaphysical directors out there in regard to the themes he explores in his films. There are few directors who have worked in both horror and fantasy and have also done films with a high-concept, trippy visual aesthetic, all elements that are found in the original Labyrinth movie.
That original 1986 movie, starring the late David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King and a young Jennifer Connelly as the human girl whose wish he grants, was a visual feast, borrowing from the art of M.C. Escher and featuring the incredible creature work of the Jim Henson Company. The story revolves around Sarah Williams, a teenage girl who wishes for her baby brother, Toby, to be taken away in a moment of irritation. The Goblin King, Jareth, hears her request and grants it, spiriting Toby away to his kingdom, Labyrinth. Sarah is given a choice: Spend 13 hours in Jareth’s kingdom and make it to the castle in the center of the maze before time is up, or Toby will be turned into a goblin and belong to Labyrinth forever.
It’s unclear what the story for the sequel is about, but it’s entirely possible that it could be about a now grown-up Toby, who would now be in his mid-30s. Perhaps he goes on a quest to save one of his own children? Or perhaps it’s not about the Williams family at all but will focus on an entirely new character. One would also think the Goblin King would have to be part of it, so who will replace the iconic Bowie in the role? So many questions revolve around this project, but it’s exciting to see what Derrickson will do with it.
As with many projects being announced right now, there’s no release date set but we’ll keep you updated on things as they develop.
