goonies Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I'd like to think a Goonies sequel won't be happening anytime soon, unless Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner and the gang decide to either remake the original with new kids or create some sort of spinoff (a la Ghostbusters 3) with part of the original cast, a bunch of new recruits and Zac Efron as the annoying big brother. God, I think my heart stopped there for a second -- but anyway, there is some interesting Goonies news, and it comes in the form of a massive cast reunion as part of Empire's special 20th anniversary issue, which was guest edited by Steven Spielberg and hits UK stands tomorrow.

Over on his blog Corey Feldman teases a whole bunch of cool goodies, like photos, interviews, videos and more. He says, "Along witha group photo of the cast , and Producers, there are exclusive one on one photos and interviews with each member of the cast. In addition there was also a lot of video shot that day. We even did a group interview on camera exclusively for Empire, where we all reminisced about the amazing times we shared together making the film, a few unheard Goonie secrets, and reflected on our collective love for the film and hopes for its future. This was a very special day for all of us. I will go more into detail about the events of the day in my next blog, but for now I would like to thank EMPIRE for giving me the right to announce this exclusively at CF.net and want to inform you that to see it all for yourselves please go to www.empireonline.com. Don't miss this one, who knows if it will ever happen again. Hopefully it is just the start of more good Goonie things to come."

Over on his Times Online pop culture blog, Michael Moran confronted what he considered to be the ten silliest sequel rumors at the moment. His list runs the gamut from projects we've been hearing about for ages -- The Goonies 2 and Ghostbusters 3 -- to ones that never crossed my radar in the slightest (dude, they should totally bring back Katherine Heigl if they go through with Under Siege 3).

For that matter, what's The Wicker Man without a shouting Nic Cage? Or an I Am Legend prequel in which Will Smith finds himself confronted with hardship after hardship until we end up where the first one began? (In that case, simply remake The Pursuit of Happyness, but with a deadly virus replacing crippling poverty.) Speaking of post-apocalyptic pandemics, I do count myself among those pleasantly surprised by how much 28 Weeks Later worked, so I'm more reluctant than ever to write off a third one. (As a bigger fan of Cloverfield, though, I think that they're just pushing their luck with any sort of follow-up.)

Thusly, I ask which, if any, of these sequel/prequel prospects are you guys and gals excited for? And which ones seem downright ludicrous to consider *cough*Blade Runner*cough*Watchmen*cough*300*cough*? (And while I'm at it, anyone else ready to throw in the towel on Pirates of the Caribbean? Oh, wait, we've already had this talk...)

Ugh. I should've known that with the release of Lost Boys 2, nothing beloved was sacred. Sure, we've posted Goonies 2 rumors before, when Sean Astin called it an "absolute certainty," and when Data and Chunk were approached, even though Josh Brolin had heard nothing. Now, if Moviehole's sources are to be believed, it's definitely on the way. And no, I'm not talking about a Goonies 2 video game re-release. (Will the Wii ever get it!? I keep waiting...)

An unnamed source (one that we'd supposedly "know straight away this was a solid bit of news") said that it is definitely happening -- not as a Tribeish straight-to-video release, but as a full-scale feature film (which WB has confirmed). Writers are whipping it up now, and it'll feature some of the original cast. That's a huge bummer, because the only way I could begin to get intrigued would be if all the surviving people signed on once again. It wasn't too long ago that the entire cast reunited for that DVD commentary, so I'll still hope for a full, or almost full, return.

But still, it's a crapshoot whether this will be worthy of the beloved original. What would they have to do to capture your interest in the sequel?

UPDATE: Corey Feldman tells Moviefone a Goonies sequel will most likely not happen: "Well, 'The Goonies' is one of those mythical sequels that will never happen [laughs]. I mean, it's something that Donner and Spielberg were behind for years and years, and again it's a Warner Bros. issue; they just feel they don't want to take the gamble on making the sequel." Read more ...

As a brief coda to an interview about the upcoming No Country for Old Men, Cinematical had the chance to ask Josh Brolin if he had been approached about the rumored Goonies project that's been mused about and hinted at over the past few months. (Sean Astin calls it an "absolute certainty"; noting Astin's post-Rings resume, you might suggest that's wishful thinking on his part.) Brolin, obviously bemused at the line of questioning, stated that he hasn't been contacted -- and offered his thoughts on the possibility. Look for Cinematical's full interview with Brolin about his non-One-Eyed-Willie-related work next week; the full transcript of Brolin's remarks is below.

Cinematical: There's one final thing that my editor basically put a gun to my head and told me to ask you ...

Josh Brolin: ... But it's ultimately your choice ...

Cinematical: ... I know, but I am a little bit curious as well; there have been rumors and rumblings that Warners is going around to the cast of The Goonies and talking to them about getting back together. ...

JB: Haven't heard a word.

Cinematical: If they asked you, are there limits to nostalgia? Or would you go back to it, as a lark?

JB: I don't know; it depends on the story ... I mean, it has nothing to do with (nostalgia); you know, they gave me my break, so that's a huge thing for me. And it's not like Spielberg or Dick Donner are slouches; they're great filmmakers ... I don't know; I haven't heard anything about it. I don't know what those actors are doing; Martha Plimpton, I run into once in a while; I think she's an amazing actress. But would it be smart to do that? Would it take away from the original film, and how great that was? Is it a business decision? Do we feel like we can make some money off it, because it is such a childhood classic? I don't know. Maybe I'll be some great alcoholic homeless character in the boondocks of Astoria, Oregon ... That would be fun.

It's one of those mid-'80s movies that everybody still seems to love. Just like A Christmas Story and The Princess Bride and C.H.U.D., Richard Donner's The Goonies has kept a more-than-loyal fanbase over the past two decades. And (of course) every once in a while we hear some vague rumblings about a new sequel or remake or spin-off of some sort ... but nothing ever comes of it.

But the MTV Movies Blog recently had a brief chat with former Goonie Sean Astin, and here's what Mr. Rudy Hobbit had to say: "Steven [Spielberg] and Dick [Donner] and all the powers that be ... they really feel like the thing that made the movie strong was that it was about kids, so they really want to make the next movie about kids...the next generation of Goonies. And they've had a hard time tackling that." He also contends that the sequel is some sort of "absolute certainty," as if maybe it's going into production tomorrow or something. (It's not.)

So the plan is a multi-generational adventure in which the parents tag along with a new batch of treasure-seeking tots? OK, could work, I suppose. Odds are the original screenwriter (Chris Columbus) wouldn't be returning, but if Spielberg and Donner are both on board, you can consider me completely curious. Plus it'd just be fun to see all the old kids again. I mean, we still hang out with Astin, Josh Brolin, Martha Plimpton (sometimes) and Corey Feldman (kinda), but what about Kerri Green, Jeff Cohen and Jonathan Ke Quan? Could we actually get all the Goonies back in one place?

The Fratelli Brothers (Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano) are of course still around, but mean ol' mama (Anne Ramsey) and goofy-headed Sloth (John Matuszak) left us a few years back. Not to be insensitive, but just about anyone (large) could play Sloth, really. If the sequel does go forward, I'll be very disappointed if Davi and Joey Pants are not invited along. Anyway, read more of Mr. Astin's wishful thinking right here. And while we're at it, someone go ask Steven Spielberg for an Innerspace sequel, eh?

(A pat on the back to the first person who can tell me where that Goonies II pic comes from!)

Welcome back to The Write Stuff! I'm thrilled that there is such a strong interest in screenwriting out there. Thank you all so much for your comments last week, both here and on my site. All of your questions and comments will be addressed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and keep them coming!

The first interview for the column is with red-hot screenwriter Adam F. Goldberg. Adam is living the dream. He writes for both television and film, and his upcoming movie projects include Fanboys, the live-action Jetsons movie, and They Came from Upstairs. Cinematical spoke with the incredibly busy Goldberg about his scripts, his process, and Goonies: The Musical.

Cinematical: You said you were being "enslaved by a director," what are you working on? And should I call the authorities?

Adam F. Goldberg: Perhaps call them for my hacky writing! It's called They Came From Upstairs for Fox. It's a family movie, kinda like Gremlins -- but with aliens. The spec was written by Mark Burton and was sold for like $1.7 mil. I believe I am making about .0001212 of that. It's been a really cool project. The movie was in pre-production and the studio realized the script wasn't ready and shut it down pretty late in the game. I came aboard to get the train back on the tracks which is always high pressure and very difficult to do. I handed in 40 pages and they re-greenlit the movie and we're casting and location scouting now. I'm on draft two currently, working next to the director and bringing his vision into it.

Cinematical: Is that an awkward process at all -- being brought in to re-write a fellow writer? Do you ever run into hurt feelings or bruised egos? I guess the $1.7 million makes the pill easier to swallow.

AFG: Well, I come from the TV world, writing on sitcoms and that's very collaborative. You have to sit in the room and watch 10 other writers tear apart your script right in front of you. That bruises your ego. As for movies, more often than not a writer can only go so far and it's your job to bat clean up. It's never a great feeling to have your screenplay rewritten, but hopefully you've moved onto your next project, so it doesn't sting so much. And believe me, that $1.7 payday is like winning the lottery. I hope I can sell a spec one day. I've had little luck in that department.

The Goonies never say die, but I think that maybe the universe is trying to rid them of that motto. Since the movie came out over 20 years ago, Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg have been itching for a remake -- and not only a run-of-the-mill live action one. In 2005, there was a pitch that Spielberg and the cast were behind, but Warner Brothers wouldn't bite on. (A movie company not into a sequel? Crazy talk!) But it wasn't the only sequel pitch they threw around. Earlier this year, they got into the musical craze. Then Warner Bros. was actually thinking about a direct-to-DVD sequel. What else is there? More talk about an animated Goonies.

At first, the idea went nowhere, even though the concept art was pretty cool. Now, it looks like it might gear up again, if Corey Feldman is to be believed. MTV recently chatted with the actor, who is currently busy with the Lost Boys sequel, and he says that the current push is again for some animation. Considering how many options have been explored this year alone, I wouldn't hold my breath on this becoming a reality. As Corey says: "There's been so many. The one that I heard that worked the best was all of us were now grown up, and have kids. And those kids get into some trouble and end up stumbling across some link to our past. They discover who we really are and what we went through. And, simultaneously, the Fratelli brothers find out that the kids have found out -- so they're out to get the kids and the kids are out to save their lives and their families." It's not surprising that was the best choice -- he also says others had him working in Vegas and as a trial lawyer. So, there's a tiny chance we might get a Goonies cartoon. What do you think?

I'm ensconced back in the press section in the massive Hall H, giving us flashbacks to yesterday's Paramount panel. However, today I have the benefit of a few hours of sleep, a cinnamon roll, and half a banana. The Comic-Con breakfast of champions.

I'll be doing my best to bring you all the hot Warner Bros. deets as they come out. Will we see anything from The Dark Knight? Speed Racer? Watchmen? Goonies II? (Hey, I can dream). They gave us more swag bags on the way in, which included a t-shirt for The Invasion, a pretty swell Get Smart Control/KAOS shirt, and a bunch of other little things, including a very timely Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix pin. Woot!

Like most people of my generation, I really loved The Goonies when I was growing up. I was the perfect age for the flick when it first came out, and although I still enjoy the movie, I'd be lying if I said, well, the flick's a bit louder, goofier and dumber than it was in 1985. Still, a fun little confection that I do pop into my DVD player from time to time -- and like most of you, I'd be very curious to see Richard Donner bring the whole cast back together for a sequel. Apparently it's almost happened once or twice, but now it looks to be a completely dead project.

The final nail in the Goonies 2 coffin seems to have arrived in the form of a Richard Donner interview over at IESB.net. It's there that the very successful director of Superman, Scrooged and the Lethal Weapon series mentioned that Warner Bros. might be mounting a direct-to-video (shot in 11 days?) sorta sequel to The Goonies. Because that's what's popular and profitable these days: Delivering a bunch of in-name-only follow-ups to popular films and then unleashing them directly to video. (Anyone out there rent The Sandlot 3 yet? Didn't think so.)

Mr. Donner hints that he might soon be directing a Western movie, but it seems a foregone conclusion that a "real" Goonies sequel will never happen. But hey, we now have a DTV release to "look forward" to! Maybe they'll get Josh Brolin and Kerri Green to come back as parents whose kids go on a mega-cool subterranean adventure that involves pirates, gold and a budget of about $2.1 million. Sheesh. More details as they ooze out of WB's chintzy sequel division.

Your day can't be complete without wild inventions, re-visting old classics and delighting in death:

• In January, I brought you the news of wacky inventor Troy Hurtubise's latest suit. He's the guy at the center of the Project Grizzly documentary. Where he used to fashion suits to fend off bears, he changed his sights to war armor. The inventor planned to sell his Trojan suit to the armed forces, but surprise, surprise -- that didn't happen. Now, one lucky bidder will have a chance to buy the suit, along with the exclusive rights to his "Shadow Armor" on EBay! As I type this, the suit has already risen beyond $30,000, and there are four days left in the auction. However, the reserve has not yet been reached, so I wonder what amount Mr. Hurtubise is waiting for...
• It seems that while talking to someone at Warner Brothers about another Gremlins sequel, Moviehole found out that the company wants some more Goonies action. The source is quoted as saying: "they're looking at doing direct-to-video sequels to Scooby Doo and The Goonies." (After The Lost Boys 2 and New Jack City 2, that is.) It's not definite, but the source considers it to be "a consideration." So much for the old rumors of an actual, potentially well-thought-out sequel. Why bother tarnishing a classic with a direct-to-DVD release? What's the point? Just let Konami's The Goonies II remain the one and only sequel.
• When I was in high school I went to a party and was convinced by some guy friends to sit down and watch a scary movie. Always up for fun cinema, I sat down in the dark room and watched Faces of Death -- full of sacrifice, execution and the scene that has never full left my mind -- monkey brains. Well, not only is the film a whole bunch of farce, but JT Petty is gearing up to remake the original. (It was fun for Raimi and Evil Dead... but faux snuff films?) If this is your cup of tea, he's created a mock-up teaser. It is, obviously, very graphic and NSFW, unless your job involves blood and death.