A new report has surfaced claiming that the classic ‘80s horror film Killer Klowns from Outer Space might finally be getting the remake treatment. According to insider Jeff Sneider, MGM is developing a new take on the cult horror-comedy, and none other than Ryan Gosling is reportedly attached as a producer.
Gosling may not typically be associated with murderous alien clowns or cotton candy cocoons, but I’m not surprised that he wants in on the action. He seems like the kind of guy that is a fan of the original horror film.
As of now, neither MGM nor Gosling’s team has confirmed the project, so take this one with a big clown-nose-sized grain of salt. That said, it’s a interesting rumor, especially considering Gosling’s eclectic taste in projects and interest in producing offbeat material.
Released in 1988 and directed by the Chiodo Brothers, practical effects legends known for their work on Critters and Team America: World Police, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a bonkers B-movie about alien clowns who land in a small town to harvest humans with popcorn guns, balloon animal trackers, and cotton candy death pods.
It’s a gleefully absurd movie driven by a handmade aesthetic that’s only grown more beloved with time. Its grotesque Klown designs and carnival-themed kill gimmicks were a ton of fun and the film has earned a permanent place in the hearts of horror fans.
The Chiodo Brothers have never given up on making a sequel. They’ve pitched multiple ideas over the years from a direct sequel to a TV series to even a streaming miniseries. Unfortunately, the real-world horror of studio red tape and rights complications has kept the Klowns locked in their big-top spaceship.
Stephen Chiodo preivously said: “MGM controls Killer Klowns. If [fans] write MGM and say, ‘Where’s our sequel? Where’s that property?’ … It’s really the fan base. The fan base has to be more vocal to MGM more than us, because they control it.”
Chiodo also hinted at a new idea: “My goal is to do an eight-part miniseries for streamers… We’ll follow a new group of teenagers who come upon the clowns and meet a drunk living in his van — it’s Mike Tobacco. There’s a big invasion, and we end up on the clown planet.”
So far, nothing’s gotten the greenlight. Even a Syfy-backed TV movie deal was scrapped due to budget concerns, and MGM has remained oddly hesitant despite the IP’s increasing cultural presence.
Maybe with an A-List star like Gosling attached to the project, the sequel will finally be able to movie forward. His presence could lend the project serious star power and help it break through the same studio inertia that’s held it back for years.
Despite the lack of a follow-up film, Killer Klowns has exploded in popularity over the past decade. They’ve become a staple at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, scored their own video game, and spawned an army of collectibles, Funko Pops, T-shirts, and other nostalgia-fueled merchandise. The brand is strong.
The question is, would a modern remake try to polish away the gooey weirdness and practical magic that made the original special?
It’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out, but what are your thoughts on Gosling’s possible involvement with Killer Klowns From Outter Space?