I recall nothing about 1985. I was only a year old. So I can’t say that I ever caught Joe Dante’s EXPLORERS at the cinema around that time. However, I did see it when I got a little older. I always had a thing for Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix, both of which show up in the sci-fi adventure film.
Paramount has decided to remake Dante’s fun alien flick with producers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL). The story of three teenaged boys who come together to create a homemade space ship will be scripted by Geoff Moore and Dave Posamentier (LIVING BETTER THROUGH CHEMISTRY). Phoenix, Hawke, and Jason Presson played the three boys back in the 80s.
Sadly when the film came out in ’85 it wasn’t a hit. Later when it was released on VHS more people got around to seeing it, and it has become somewhat of a cult classic.
No word on what a modern version of the film would be like. Insiders are saying that it would be similar to the unreleased Michael Bay produced WELCOME TO YESTERDAY, another sci-fi story involving youngsters and time travel.