Lionsgate is once again digging into the depths of its catalog, this time resurrecting the Leprechaun franchise for yet another installment. Because, of course, they are. The Leprechaun series, which has somehow managed to spawn eight movies, will get a new entry written by screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, who are known for their work on the Saw franchise. Because what’s a horror movie franchise without a few Saw alumni involved?
The news was announced by producer Oren Koules, who expressed his excitement about working with the Lionsgate team again, along with screenwriters Patrick and Marcus, and his son, Miles. Koules has a long history with Lionsgate, having produced all the Saw films, and it’s clear that he’s eager to bring his expertise to the Leprechaun franchise. The Leprechaun series, which began in 1993, has become a staple of horror comedy, with its titular character, a violent and mischievous leprechaun, protecting his pot of gold from meddling humans.
The History of Leprechaun
For those who may be unfamiliar with the franchise, the original Leprechaun film starred Warwick Davis as the titular character and Jennifer Aniston in one of her early roles. The series has since spawned a number of sequels, each with its own unique premise and title, including Leprechaun 4: In Space and Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood. The franchise has undergone several attempts at relaunching, including 2014’s Leprechaun: Origins, which starred WWE wrestler Hornswoggle, and 2018’s Leprechaun Returns, which was a direct sequel to the original film.
It’s worth noting that the Leprechaun franchise has a dedicated fan base, and the announcement of a new installment is likely to be met with excitement from fans of the series. However, it’s also worth questioning whether the franchise still has legs, or if it’s simply a case of Hollywood mistaking familiarity for originality. After all, the franchise has been around for nearly three decades, and it’s unclear what new ideas or perspectives the new film will bring to the table.
The State of Horror Movies
The Leprechaun franchise is just one example of the many horror movie franchises that have been resurrected in recent years. It seems that every year, Hollywood is digging up another old franchise, dusting it off, and attempting to breathe new life into it. This is likely due to the fact that horror movies are often low-risk, high-reward investments, and studios are eager to cash in on the success of previous films. However, this approach can also lead to a sense of fatigue, as audiences are bombarded with remake after remake, sequel after sequel.
It’s also worth noting that the horror genre is one of the most crowded and competitive in Hollywood, with new films and franchises emerging all the time. The Leprechaun franchise will have to compete with a slew of other horror movies, including established franchises like Halloween and A Quiet Place, as well as new and emerging franchises. Whether or not the new Leprechaun film will be able to stand out in this crowded field remains to be seen.
In the end, it’s clear that Lionsgate is hoping to strike gold with the new Leprechaun film, and it’s likely that the studio will spare no expense in promoting the movie. After all, as the saying goes, “you can’t keep a good leprechaun down.” And who knows, maybe this new installment will bring a fresh perspective to the franchise, and prove that there’s still life in the old girl yet. But until then, it’s hard not to feel like we’re just witnessing another case of Hollywood’s annual Nostalgia Harvest, where old franchises are resurrected and rehashed in the hopes of striking gold. Somewhere, a Focus Group is no doubt earning another bonus for declaring this a “great idea.”
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
