Gremlins writer reveals dark original script included the dog’s death

As a seasoned gamer and film enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when reminiscing about the iconic 80s gem, Gremlins. The recent revelation by Chris Columbus that the original script was darker than what made it to the silver screen has piqued my interest.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve just learned something fascinating about one of my all-time favorite films from the ’80s – Gremlins! The screenwriter, Chris Columbus himself, has spilled the beans that the original script had a much grimmer, darker tone compared to the final version we all know and love. Can’t wait to dig deeper into this intriguing revelation!

1984’s unique blend of comedy and horror unfolds the story of Billy Peltzer (portrayed by Zach Galligan), who receives an unusual pet – a creature that later turns out to be from a species with a terrifying secret. As Christmas Eve approaches, we witness these creatures transforming into aggressive monsters, causing chaos and destruction.

Back in the day, I stumbled upon this movie that Joe Dante directed and Steven Spielberg produced. Man, it was a massive hit, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful! A sequel, titled “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” dropped six years later, and I couldn’t wait to see what more chaos those little creatures would cause.

Gremlins writer reveals dark original script included the dog's death

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate the unique fusion of horror and dark humor that the movie series is renowned for. Despite the passage of time since their initial release, it’s fascinating to learn from an interview with Vanity Fair that the first film, in particular, could have been even darker than it already was, thanks to the vision of its screenwriter, Columbus.

As a gamer reminiscing about that classic movie scene, let me share my recollection: “I seem to recall the dad, portrayed by Hoyt Axton, standing his ground against those pesky Gremlins. I’m a bit hazy if he managed to survive, though.” As for the mom, played by Frances Lee McCain, she wasn’t so lucky. In a chilling moment, young Billy dashed into their house, only to witness his mother’s head tumbling down the stairs.

Unfortunately, a few lives were lost, including poor Barney the dog. Instead of merely being entangled in the holiday lights, he was hanged by his neck tragically, resulting in his demise. Essentially, we inadvertently caused the dog’s death, and it appears that they – the Gremlins – consumed him.

Later, they entered McDonald’s and consumed not the patrons themselves but the food. There were many ideas discarded during the production process. In truth, some of those concepts are deeply embedded within me. Columbus then went on to discuss the choice to modify the film to appeal to a broader demographic.

Gremlins writer reveals dark original script included the dog's death

At one point, I found myself questioning my identity: “Who am I?” Given that I didn’t possess the necessary self-assurance or background to argue with Spielberg, saying something like, “You’re mistaken. It needs to be as violent as possible,” was out of the question. He was undoubtedly right about this, and as he himself explained later, Gizmo transformed into a gremlin on page 30 and did not stay adorable and cuddly for the entire movie.

One of Steven’s brilliant thoughts was keeping Gizmo with Billy. This is something he understood, but I didn’t: The viewers required a character they could empathize with regarding the gremlins, and that role was perfectly filled by Gizmo.

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2024-12-24 16:49

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