Cult classic Troll to be revived as a 3-D animated film and TV series

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

There are few films as bad as TROLL. Actually, TROLL 2 may be worse. Both films are low budget B-movies that have acquired cult followings since their lackluster theatrical releases in 1986 and 1990, respectively. Still, three decades later, the TROLL films are popular movies with countless fans singing their cheesy praises all over the Internet. Well fans, it looks like you may get some additional material to feed your TROLL collection.

SC Films International has revealed that they are producing an animated film entitled TROLL: THE RISE OF HARRY POTTER JR. as well as a television series. The new entries in the TROLL saga will be produced by Peter Davy alongside the writer and director of the original TROLL, John Carl Buechler. For those of you not versed in the TROLL films, the character of Harry Potter Jr existed well before J.K. Rowling's fantasy series featuring the boy wizard. While the press release reassures that the new TROLL has no connection to Rowling's works, I somehow think they may not be able to go with that subtitle.

THE NEVERENDING STORY's Noah Hathaway played Harry Potter Jr. in the original film but I am sure a new actor will be brought in for the new film and animated series. Here's a brief synopsis of the new film.

The new animated feature will revisit the world of the wizardry originally created in the 1986 TROLL movie in which a wicked, magical troll wizard envisages taking over the world. Only Harry Potter, Jr., with the help of a magical witch, can save the planet from the clutches of the troll wizard and his evil force.

If this news were not bizarre enough, the press release also mentions that with the film aiming for a 2017 release followed shortly by the animated series, discussions are ongoing with "the Harbin ‘Window to Eurasia’ Theme Park in Northern China for a “TROLL” themed venue and branding program based on the film’s characters." Wow. Just wow.

TROLL holds a special place for me as I remember seeing both films as a child and being disturbed for years. Watching them again and recognizing actors like Michael Moriarty and Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings waves of nostalgia. I am not sure an animated film can live up to the first movies but I am definitely intrigued to see how this develops. In the meantime, a return to Nilbog seems to be in order.

TROLL: THE RISE OF HARRY POTTER JR should be released in 2017.