The entertainment world has been awash with legacy sequels in the last decade. From Indiana Jones to Top Gun, nostalgic ’80s properties are all the rage. One that is yet to be released but has already generated considerable internet buzz is the sequel to the iconic family adventure film The Goonies, which is reportedly nearing completion in the scripting stage.
Potsy Ponciroli, an indie writer and director, has provided an update on the script, stating that it is “95% done” as of the end of August. He was speaking at the Venice Film Festival, where he debuted his latest film, Motor City. He explained that the project is beginning to move in the right direction, with Warner Bros. expecting to push forward once the script is completed.
Given that 2025 was the 40th anniversary of the original, Ponicroli also expressed understanding of the concerns that many have about the return to the Goonies universe. However, he also moved to reassure fans of the original, saying: “To me it was a story that never ended, so this is the movie I want to see as one of its biggest fans.” So why now for a property just a couple of decades away from retirement?
A Modest Hit That Defined a Generation of Cinema Fans
The Goonies was never the biggest hit. While it more than triples its $19 million budget on first release, it perhaps wasn’t the behemoth that films like Raiders of the Lost Ark were – which grossed over $300 million on a similar budget. However, what it lacked in rip-roaring success, it more than made up for in cultural significance.
The film took on a life of its own, becoming a cult film that defined the movie experience for youngsters in the 80s. To those of a certain generation, The Goonies was as significant a cinema experience as cultural touchstones like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It captured the essence of what it was like to be a young person during that specific time, and spoke to the mundanity of suburban life.
There are echoes of its influence to this day, with shows like Stranger Things purposefully emulating the look and feel of the classic. Then you have the enthusiasm for the IP itself that remains. Look at any online casino, for example, and, among the catalogue of slots, you’re likely to find Goonies-themed titles like The Goonies Return and The Goonies Quest for Treasure.
A Considerable Gamble for a Legacy Sequel in Uncertain Times
While The Goonies’ popularity as a film and a wider intellectual property is undeniable, the return to Astoria isn’t necessarily a nailed-on banker. Top Gun: Maverick reviewed exceptionally well and brought home almost $1.5 billion at the box office, but Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny failed to recoup its budget.
Many are growing tired of legacy sequels and nostalgia-baiting, preferring that any return to a concept be earned and provide a new story. The long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel was welcomed with a lukewarm reception, with many pointing fingers at both the time elapsed since the original and the fact that we are now inundated with sequels and reboots.
The Goonies sequel’s scriptwriter certainly doesn’t appear to want to retread the same story. He appears to be passionate about expanding on the lore and telling something new. This certainly bodes well in the face of soulless cashgrabs failing at the box office. If Ponciroli can avoid the pitfalls that many recent titles have fallen into, he could navigate the legacy reboot easily.
Warner Bros. Drawing From Untapped Well of Content
The Goonies isn’t the only film that Warner Bros. is looking to reboot, either. Gremlins writer Christopher Columbus recently updated the world, saying that his script for the second sequel to the eponymous first movie is in its early stages. It’s yet another 80s property that remains extremely popular despite a relatively short shelf life at the time of its release.
Either way, it’s an interesting time for 80s nostalgia, with many different movies and TV series being picked up and expanded upon. If the Goonies writers can hit the right notes, it could just be another classic cult adventure movie for a whole new generation.
