Scott Derrickson has signed on to direct a sequel to the 1986 film Labyrinth, according to Deadline. The film will be written by Maggie Levin, the writer/director of Hulu’s Into the Dark and My Valentine.
Jim Henson directed the original Labyrinth, which featured David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, who takes a baby named Toby away from his half-sister Sarah (played by Jennifer Connelly), who had wished that he would be taken away. She immediately regrets her wish, and works to navigate a labyrinth to win him back. The film has since become a cult classic, spawning a novelization and comic adaptations over the years.
Derrickson confirmed the news on Twitter.
The latest… https://t.co/5Ijy2Ug5MB
— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) May 26, 2020
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Derrickson comes to the project after a busy couple of years. In January, he left the sequel to Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, over creative differences with Marvel. (Sam Raimi has since picked up the reins for that particular project.) Prior to that, Derrickson directed the original pilot for TNT’s Snowpiercer series, but refused to return for reshoots after that series lost its showrunner, noting that the “the feature-length pilot I made from that script may be my best work. The new showrunner has a radically different vision for the show.”
The new project doesn’t have a release date or cast announced, and it’s not clear what story this could take, or if Connelly (whom Derrickson worked with on Snowpiercer) will reprise her role. Jim Henson’s daughter will produce the film with the Jim Henson Company along with Derrickson and his creative partner, C. Robert Cargill.
The sequel is just one of the latest projects from the 1980s to get a sequel that brings its respective franchise before modern audiences. Another Jim Henson project, The Dark Crystal, recently got its own sequel in the form of a Netflix series last year, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
It will never be the same without David Bowie. I am cautiously pessimistic.
Gillian Anderson!
What is the point of doing a sequel to Labyrinth when David Bowie is no longer with us?
I love Labyrinth!
But I must say I don’t see the point (or the need) to make a sequel 35 years later. The story is concluded, it didn’t end on an unsatisfying cliffhanger. Sure, you could always pull the “next generation” trick and have Sarah’s kids be involved in the sequel story. But as I said, I don’t see the point, especially since Bowie is gone. You’d have to either come up with a story without the Goblin King (again, what’s the point?) or have him played by another character.
You don’t want to rehash the plot so you’d have to come up with a different story.
But in that case, with all original actors significantly older (or dead), just make a new, unrelated movie.
Sure, I see the financial appeal for the studio to revive the Labyrinth brand but as a viewer I’m skeptical.
No Bowie, no Labyrinth, no arguing
Actually, there is already a story for the continuation of Labyrinth, as well as a prequel. They were both done in comic/manga form and are good stories. I would love to see either of them in movie form. I completely understand and agree that no one can do Jareth, the Goblin King like he did. However, the story is so great that it deserves to be continued. There is no one that can do David Bowie’s Goblin King, but there maybe someone who can make a whole new generation fall in love with it all again. I feel we need a bit more fantasy in our world today as long as they remain true to the story, the atmosphere, and the characters. It would have to be someone who has a very special individuality though. Maybe Johnny Depp or Brendon Urie… Someone who has a uniqueness to them. I do not envy anyone trying to do this, though. Even if it is magnificent, there is always going to be haters. The original film when it came out was considered a bomb, but grew into a beloved classic over time. If you are curious, the comic/manga’s are Return to the Labyrinth and Labyrinth Coronation. The last is a prequel that tells Jareth’s story.
If there is to be a new Goblin King (not Jareth, but maybe his heir?), I would love to see someone like Janelle Monae, Gillian Anderson (seconded from above!), or Tilda Swinton, all of whom can master that balance of sinister charisma and scary enticement that David Bowie was so perfect at. Extra points for Janelle Monae because she could sing and write music!
I am also very reluctant to endorse the idea of a new Labyrinth movie since I love the original so much and David Bowie is unique and irreplaceable, but I’d love to visit that world again so I will live in hope for a sequel that will elaborate on but invoke the spirit of the original.
@7 I was thinking Tilda Swinton!
Although, honestly, if you consider that the Goblin King could look like anyone, especially depending on if the appearance of the King depends on the person who’s invoking him. Or, there could be many Goblin Kings.
That said, I’ll miss David Bowie as Jareth.
Won’t be the same without Bowie. Not to mention the enormous eighties hair.
Call me when Brendon is cast as the “new” Jareth, aka Goblin King.
Ya know what would be cool if this Labyrinth sequel was made. You sound include Paul McCartney as one of the characters. I’ve seen him act and he’s pretty good at it. Also, Jareth needs to be a tall slim British guy. Maybe David Tennant I think he will be better than doctor strange. He’s the real doctor lol. He is better then the Doctor Strange guy. PICK DAVID TENNANT!