Director Breathes New Life into Beloved Labyrinth Franchise with Exciting Update
Labyrinth 2 faces major setbacks as director reveals challenges hindering the highly-anticipated sequel to this iconic 35-year-old cult classic franchise
Summary
Director Scott Derrickson reveals that the potential sequel to Labyrinth is facing hurdles due to a lack of balance in the script's vision and the studio's expectations.
The original Labyrinth attracted a devoted fan base despite receiving mixed reviews initially. However, creating a sequel has posed numerous challenges for different directors. The main obstacles include achieving a harmonious blend of the original's humor and darkness, and finding a captivating actor to replace David Bowie.
Director Scott Derrickson delivers a disappointing update regarding the potential sequel to the beloved 1986 musical fantasy film, Labyrinth. The original film, a collaboration between Jim Henson, George Lucas, and Terry Jones of Monty Python, featured the renowned David Bowie in the role of the powerful Goblin King, Jareth. Labyrinth follows the story of Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly, a young teenager with a passion for fantasy, who inadvertently wishes for the Goblin King to take her baby stepbrother, Toby, to a twisted fairy tale realm.
Since May 2020, Derrickson had been attached as the director for Labyrinth 2. However, after just over three years, the Doctor Strange and The Black Phone director shares an unfortunate update about the potential sequel in an interview with ComicBook.com. Derrickson expresses his lack of knowledge regarding the studio's plans for the project. He explains that while he is proud of his work on the script, there was never a harmonious balance achieved between the studio's vision for the sequel and his desire to stay true to the tone of the original film. For Derrickson's full explanation, see below.
What Is Bringing Labyrinth 2's Pre-Production To A Halt?
is currently in a state of uncertainty. The script didn't reach a point of approval from the studio for production, but I hold a strong sense of pride in the effort we put into it. Converting it into a commercially viable project is a challenge due to its immensely imaginative and surreal nature, which cannot be accomplished on a low budget. Moreover, its audacity and distinctiveness make it difficult for a studio to believe in its commercial potential and profitability. Nevertheless, I remain proud of the work we accomplished. We had a remarkable film concept in mind.
Although initially met with mixed reviews and underperforming at the box office, Labyrinth managed to build a dedicated following through its television and home releases. Over time, it has become a beloved fantasy classic. This success led to the confirmation in 2016 that a sequel was in the works. Despite discussions with Connelly to reprise her role as Sarah, the project has faced numerous challenges and has remained trapped in development limbo. Both Fede Álvarez, known for Evil Dead, and now Derrickson have encountered difficulties in bringing their creative visions to fruition.
Labyrinth's production faces challenges in striking a tonal balance, as discussed by Derrickson. The original movie had a mix of humor, memorable music, and fantastical worlds, but also included darker and more suspenseful moments that made it unique and acclaimed. However, there is a conflict between studio executives aiming for a broader appeal and creatives like Derrickson and Alvarez, who want to stay true to their artistic visions.
In addition to the struggle to find a suitable actor to play Bowie's iconic character Jareth, Derrickson's comments bring attention to another obstacle for the sequel: concerns about maintaining the tone of the original. These concerns have caused delays in the pre-production process, casting doubt on whether the sequel will ever be made.
Source: ComicBook.com
