The mischievous little creature is getting another chance to wreak havoc on the big screen.
Lionsgate is developing a brand-new “Leprechaun” horror movie, bringing the cult-favorite franchise back for another terrifying—and potentially twisted—chapter. The upcoming film is being written by horror veterans Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, the duo behind several installments of the “Saw” franchise.
Melton and Dunstan previously collaborated on “Saw IV,” “Saw V,” “Saw VI” and “Saw 3D,” as well as films including “The Collector” and “The Collection.” Their involvement could signal a darker approach for the latest entry while still leaving room for the outrageous horror and dark comedy that have become trademarks of the “Leprechaun” series.
The film will be produced by Oren Koules and Miles Koules through their Koulest Productions banner. Oren Koules has extensive ties to the “Saw” franchise, having produced its films, making the new “Leprechaun” project a reunion of sorts for several key horror veterans.
Details about the storyline are currently being kept under wraps, and no cast or release date has been announced.
The new movie marks another attempt by Lionsgate to revive the long-running franchise. A previous reboot was developed with filmmaker Felipe Vargas attached to direct, but that version ultimately did not move forward.
The original “Leprechaun” debuted in 1993 and starred Warwick Davis as the murderous title character. The franchise has since spawned multiple sequels, including “Leprechaun in the Hood,” “Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood,” “Leprechaun: Origins” and “Leprechaun Returns.”
Now, nearly a decade after the franchise’s most recent installment, the Leprechaun is preparing to return—and this time, he may have some serious horror expertise behind him.
For fans of the franchise, one thing is certain: if you find a pot of gold, you might want to leave it alone.
