Goonies Sequel in the Works
Deadline reports that the sequel to Richard Donner’s beloved ’80s classic, The Goonies, is “moving in the right direction,” according to its writer, Potsy Ponciroli.
During a Deadline-moderated panel featuring Winston Baker at the Venice Film Festival, Ponciroli was asked about the movie's status. He stated, “I have turned in a first draft, which was very well received, and I’m currently working on a second draft. I'm about 95% finished with that, so we’re moving in the right direction.”
Ponciroli acknowledged the inevitable online skepticism surrounding a sequel to such an adored classic. However, he emphasized that few fans of the original film are more passionate than he is and assured that he would handle the project with the utmost care.
“I know there’s a lot of ‘do we need a new Goonies,’” he said, “but I’m the biggest fan of the original; it’s my favorite movie of all time. I’d never ‘redo’ The Goonies. To me it was a story that never ended, so this is the movie I want to see as one of its biggest fans.”
He expressed uncertainty about when production would begin on the movie, and a director has not yet been announced.
Ponciroli is currently in Venice for the new Alan Ritchson action-thriller Motor City, having also attended the festival four years ago with his feature debut, Old Henry.
Warner Bros., the studio behind the original Goonies, is also producing the sequel. Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, and Holly Bario will produce for Amblin Entertainment alongside Chris Columbus, with Lauren Shuler Donner serving as executive producer. Spielberg and Columbus wrote the original film.
Released 40 years ago, the original introduced audiences to a group of misfit kids—Mikey, Mouth, Data, Chunk, and others—who embark on a treasure hunt to save their homes from foreclosure. Their journey takes them through underground tunnels, booby traps, and encounters with the villainous Fratelli crime family, ultimately leading to the discovery of the long-lost treasure of the pirate One-Eyed Willy.
A cornerstone of ’80s pop culture, the film launched the careers of young actors such as Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, and Jonathan Ke Quan.
The idea of a Goonies sequel has been circulating for decades. However, despite ongoing rumors and interest from fans and some original cast members, it has yet to materialize. We revealed Ponciroli as the writer earlier this year, but that was the last update we received. Recently, there have been indications that progress may be occurring.