Little Shop of Horrors Reboot Gets Disappointing Update From Gremlins Director

Gremlins director Joe Dante has finally shared an update about the current status of the Little Shop of Horrors reboot, which has been in-development since March 2024. The project is based on Roger Corman’s classic 1960 horror comedy movie of the same name.

When the project was first announced, it was revealed that Dante had signed on to direct the reimagining of Little Shop of Horrors from a screenplay written by Charles S. Haas (Gremlins 2: The New Patch). Prior to his death last May 2024, Corman was originally attached to produce the remake alongside Emmy-nominated producer Brad Krevoy and Charles Cohen.

What was Joe Dante’s Little Shop of Horrors reboot update?

During a recent interview, Dante confirmed that development on his Little Shop of Horrors reboot has paused. The filmmaker didn’t mentioned a specific reason for the project’s indefinite cancellation, but notes that it’s hard for any projects to get greenlit right now.

“The word is ‘stasis,’ not status. At the moment, like so many things in town, nothing’s happening, and we always hope that will change, but it’s not the greatest time right now to [get] projects off the ground,” Dante said.

The original 1960 movie was directed by Corman from a screenplay written by Charles B. Griffith. It starred Jonathan Haze as Seymour, Jackie Joseph as Audrey, Mel Welles as Gravis, Dick Miller as Burson, Myrtle Vail as Winifred, and Wally Campo as Joe Fink/narrator, with a then-newcomer Jack Nicholson. The film currently holds a Tomatometer rating of 94%, based on 16 reviews. In 1982, due to its cult following, the movie was adapted into an off-Broadway musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. The musical was then adapted into a film in 1986, which starred Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, and Steve Martin.

“Seymour Krelboin works in the Skid Row flower shop owned by Mr. Mushnik,” reads the synopsis for 1960’s The Little Shop of Horrors. “In his spare time, Seymour creates a new plant species he names Audrey Junior in honor of his girlfriend Audrey). Audrey Junior begins speaking and demands to be fed human blood and flesh, convincing Seymour to kill a railroad detective, a sadistic dentist and a trollop. Seymour’s guilt over the deaths forces him to confront Audrey Junior in a final confrontation.”

(Source: The Direct)

Source: Comingsoon.net