Film + TV

A 'Labyrinth' sequel is happening

by Jesse Locke

Over the weekend, news spread like the chilly down fire gang that a Labyrinth reboot was in the works.

For fans of the classic 1986 Jim Henson fantasy film starring Jennifer Connelly and the late David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, this was sacrilege. Not only did it feel like a grossly opportunistic announcement so soon after Bowie’s passing, but another example of Hollywood nostalgia-mining at its worst. The fun-loving pop culture enthusiasts at Forbes pointed out that the Labyrinth computer game should be rebooted instead.

Now, Guardians of the Galaxy/Captain Marvel co-writer Nicole Perlman (who signed on to pen the new Labyrinth script) has clarified that it’s actually intended to be a sequel. She began working on the film with Jim Henson Co. in 2014, making the timing of this news leak an unfortunate coincidence (or a morbid PR move, if you’re the cynical type).

Naturally, the first question on people’s minds is who will step into Bowie’s massive hair and equally massive codpiece. Jarvis Cocker’s monotone cool? Sure. Jared Leto’s twisted vision? Please God no. And if you think a flashback about the misadventures of young Jareth the Goblin Prince would be a novel idea, guess what? The world of manga has already gone there.