Lionsgate is setting out on a fresh quest for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Lionsgate Studios are about to give the Leprechaun franchise a flashy new makeover that’s aimed right at modern moviegoers. If you’re keeping count, that’s right, this is the longest-running franchise in Lionsgate’s portfolio.
The Director calling the shots this time around is Felipe Vargas, the visionary behind the award-winning short film Milk Teeth. Writing the script is Mike Van Waes.
Now, let’s rewind a bit. The original Leprechaun movie, a brainchild of Trimark Pictures, hit the screens way back in 1993. It starred Warwick Davis as a shoe-shining, gold-hoarding, vengeance-hurling leprechaun. The film’s claim to fame, apart from its quirky plot, was featuring Jennifer Aniston in her first film role. Despite being a wild card, the movie became a box office hit and gave birth to a franchise that’s still alive and kicking after three decades.
The Leprechaun movies were adopted by Lionsgate in 2000 when it bought out Trimark, making it a veteran of the studio, even older than the likes of Saw, The Hunger Games, and John Wick. Believe it or not, the movies are still a hit, with Syfy Network running a Leprechaun marathon every St. Patrick’s Day.
Erin Westerman, the big boss at Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, is very happy about the new project. She thinks the franchise still has its magic touch after thirty years, and she’s stoked about the new vision for the film. The team is placing their bets on Vargas to deliver a movie that’s both creepy and entertaining. Meredith Wieck and Jon Humphrey will oversee the project for Lionsgate.
When we have more information about the details of the new Leprechaun film we will be sure to update you. To sign up for our horror movie newsletter sent out every week click here!
