Yahoo Lifestyle “Labyrinth” Sequel in Development Nearly 40 Years After David Bowie-Led Original, with Robert Eggers Directing: Report
The original musical fantasy film, which also starred a teenage Jennifer Connelly, has gained a cult following in the decades since its release in 1986
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Robert Eggers in Berlin on Dec. 2, 2024; Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in Labyrinth (1986)Labyrinth is reportedly getting a sequel, nearly 40 years after the original.
Deadline reports that Robert Eggers (Nosferatu) has finalized a deal to direct a follow-up to the 1986 Jim Henson musical fantasy film, which starred the late David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King and Jennifer Connelly, in one of her earliest big-screen roles, as Sarah.
Eggers, 41, will also co-write the screenplay alongside Sjón, whom he previously collaborated with on The Northman (2022), per Deadline. The outlet further reports that producers on the TriStar Pictures project will include Chris Columbus and daughter Eleanor Columbus plus Jim's daughter Lisa Henson, with executive producer Brian Henson, Jim's son.
Plot details are unknown at this time.
A rep for Eggers declined to confirm the project, while a rep for Sony Pictures, which counts TriStar among its subsidiaries, has not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth (1986)Related: Fantasy Casting the 'Labyrinth' Sequel
A sequel to Labyrinth has been in development for at least nine years and was initially slated to be directed by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange) from a script by Guardians of the Galaxy co-writer Nicole Perlman, Entertainment Weekly reported in January 2016. Four years later, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Maggie Levin would write the screenplay.
The original film featured Connelly, now 54, as Sarah, a teenager who goes through an otherworldly maze to rescue her infant brother Toby, whom she wished away to Jareth (Bowie, who died in 2016 at the age of 69). Sarah has to rescue her brother from Jareth before he becomes a goblin himself.
The first film was directed by Muppets creator Jim, and was the last movie he directed before his death in 1990 at age 53. Besides Connelly and Bowie, plus the humans playing baby Toby and Sarah and Toby's parents, Labyrinth's other characters are played by puppets.
While the 1986 film received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure, it has gained a cult following in the nearly four decades since its release.
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David Bowie in Labyrinth (1986)Related: David Bowie, the Actor: Nine of His Most Memorable Movie Roles
Eggers' most recent film, Nosferatu, was released on Christmas Day last month, to mostly positive reviews. The remake of the 1922 classic Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror stars Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe.
Nosferatu currently holds an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been nominated for numerous awards, including four at the upcoming Oscars ceremony: Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Next up for Eggers is Werwulf, which is slated for release on Christmas Day 2026, exactly two years after Nosferatu hit theaters.
Variety reports that the director has also co-written the script for the werewolf horror movie alongside Sjón, 62, his The Northman and reported Labyrinth sequel collaborator.
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