A couple of updates on that Gremlins reboot (or whatever it is) today: Original writer and producer Chris Columbus wants fans to know that the upcoming, long-developing film is not a remake, and confirms that they have indeed hired Goosebumps writer Carl Ellsworth to pen another draft of the script. Meanwhile, original Gremlins director Joe Dante assures fans that he is not involved in this new version at all — and he doesn’t seem very happy about it happening, either.

In an interview with MTV News, Columbus spoke at length about the Gremlins reboot, which he describes as a more of a sequel. After years of being approached with the idea to remake his classic film, Columbus finally believes they have a solid idea for a new story:

I know what the take is, I can’t talk about it, but I was approached to do the sequel to Gremlins way back when… That was before the power of the franchise, the franchise ruled all. I was like, ‘Nah, the first movie exists, it’s great the way it is. Why spoil it with a sequel, or a bunch of sequels?’ Well, time has passed, and I’ve seen what happens when sequels can actually work, and improve — certainly not improve on the original, but have a different direction. So I was open to the idea, and I think we have a really good take.

In addition, Columbus says it’s a “completely different direction,” while still having “the same universe, the same rules, same Gremlins,” but adds that this version will not be exactly the same. So it’s the same, but different — got it? Columbus also revealed that he drew inspiration, surprisingly, from Star Wars: The Force Awakens:

What I’ve learned — I haven’t even seen Star Wars — but what I’ve learned in the trailer is, people want to stay connected to what they fell in love with. So when I saw Harrison Ford and Chewie, I was like… I had tears in my eyes, and I think everyone collectively across the world geeked out at that moment.

So…Gremlins: The Force Awakens, then. Okay. Meanwhile, original Gremlins director Joe Dante spoke at the Riviera Maya Film Festival this weekend following a screening of his new film, Burying the Ex (via THR). When Dante was asked about the new Gremlins movie, he revealed that he’s not involved because he has no rights over the project — “It’s owned by other people.” As for the idea of remakes, Dante thinks Hollywood is making far too many of them these days:

They remake pictures that people just didn’t want to see remade. Did anybody really want to see another RoboCop?

Well played, Dante. Well played.

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