Leprechaun reboot to be darker, more traditional

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

Whether anyone really wants it or not, it looks like we’re still getting that LEPRECHAUN reboot courtesy of WWE Studios, the folks who brought us the John Cena-starring THE MARINE and the better-than-expected (but still subpar) SEE NO EVIL. The last bit o’news we had on the remake came way back in April with a title announcement (LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS) and the unsurprising news that WWE superstar Hornswoggle will be tackling the titular role. And while the film will miss its projected March 2013 release, that hasn’t stopped the studio from forging ahead with the project.

In a recent interview with Crave, WWE Studios President Michael Luisi spoke about the status of the film a gave a small glimmering of hope that this version of the tale will be more in line with what horror fans want.

“The tone is going to be a little darker, a little more traditional horror than the Warwick Davis ones that people remember, trying to find a way to please fans of that genre but at the same time this is really being played for scares.”

As for how the franchise ended up in the studio’s hands, Luisi shared the the film will be a co-production alongside a genre-friendly studio that has churned out some decent fare in recent years. “Well, it’s (the LEPRECHAUN franchise) controlled by Lionsgate and all of the movies that we’re doing now we do with co-producing, co-financing partners. I come out of 12 years at Miramax so I have a lot of relationships from the Miramax days and when I went out and pitched our new business model to the people I knew at Lionsgate, they said, “Hey, you know what would be kind of fun? Finding something to do with your guys with one of your superstars that revolves  around one of our existing franchises.” And I said, “I’ve got the project for you: Leprechaun.”

Luisi went on to address a question that is on the minds of fans of the original series: will original LEPRECHAUN Warwick Davis be involved? “I think that’s still an open question. Maybe a cameo. I don’t know at this point. The script is still in development.”

So there you have it. The LEPRECHAUN reboot is going to happen and all we can do now is hope that they deliver a film that surpasses the original (which shouldn’t be all that hard to do).

I hope they cast a leading lady as hot as original LEPRECHAUN starlet Jennifer Aniston.