Joe Dante’s Gremlins is one of the many camp classics celebrating a 30th anniversary this year. And because everything old is instantly new again in Hollywood, the industry’s trying to find some way to reboot it. Original Gremlins star Zach Galligan isn’t trying to fight the inevitable. In fact, if he plays his cards right, he’d like to somehow participate.
The actor was speaking with Moviefone on behalf of Gremlins turning 30 years old. He shared a number of fun and interesting stories from Joe Dante’s set, talking about the influence Steven Spielberg had on the movie, and reminiscing about his audition. He doesn’t want to audition for the planned remake. He already knows what part he’d like to play. Said Galligan:
Hopefully the Warner Bros people … listening to this would let me play the new Billy Peltzer's teacher, or play the dad, or play the cop. Just move up and play another part."
This has happened before, of course. Recently, Leonard Nimoy returned to play Spock opposite a new Spock in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. Original Godzilla star Akira Takarada also was schedule to show up in Gareth Edwards’ latest Godzilla movie, but plans changed during post-production. We’re hoping he occupies a deleted scene in the near future.
Back to Gremlins, where Zach Galligan reveals how the 28-year-old special effects guys had zero confidence in Gizmo or Spike actually working. "He was very self-deprecating and unsure of himself but he was, of course, proved incredibly wrong," Galligan said. And he shared great stories about being 19, shooting a movie, working with Phoebe Cates, and being able to play all of the arcade games in Steven Spielberg’s private offices.
We’ve already acknowledged movies like Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom blowing out the "candles" on their 30th birthday cakes. Gremlins absolutely belong in the mix of classics that we should be honoring this year, and it’s fin to hear star Zach Galligan, who played Billy in the deliriously funny horror comedy, reminisce on the film’s unexpected success. I’m not sure we need the remake. Other 1984 movies – like The Karate Kid -- already have suffered the remake fatigue. But if updated effects can help put a new spin on Joe Dante’s beloved creature feature, perhaps we should keep an open mind. And not get anything wet.
