The cult Leprechaun movie franchise is set for a comeback amid reports Lionsgate is planning a new film about the diminutive, mischievous sprite.
The original movie was released in 1993 with British actor Warwick Davis playing the role of Lubdan. He reprised his role in the first six installments of the franchise. The movie also starred Jennifer Aniston as Tory Redding in her first major movie role, with the Friends actress returning to the role in 2018 for Leprechaun Returns.
Leprechaun representations
Leprechauns feature prominently in another area of the entertainment industry and are used to spread luck and good fortune. For example, pots of gold and rainbows feature in the popular game Rainbow Riches. However, is the kindly iteration of the supernatural being that features in this Irish-themed slot game, as opposed to the nefarious sprite of the Leprechaun franchise.
But leprechauns are also associated with mischief, and this was certainly the case for the actor Dylan Mark Postl who wrestled in the WWE as Hornswoggle in a leprechaun costume. His performances were rewarded when he was chosen to replace Davis in the starring role in the Leprechaun reboot, Leprechaun: Origins.
Fans of the Leprechaun franchise will be thrilled by the news that entertainment company Lionsgate is reported to be planning a new Leprechaun movie. The popularity of the franchise is demonstrated by the cable channel Syfy traditionally broadcasting a Leprechaun marathon on St. Patrick’s Day and this is something Lionsgate will hope to capitalize on in any future movies.
The popularity of the leprechaun franchise
American film director and screenwriter Darren Lynn Bousman explained the enduring popularity of the franchise: “Here's what I love about the Leprechaun franchise. They're ridiculous. They're fun. They're violent. It's a perfect popcorn horror movie. It's not trying to be uber-serious. It's not trying to be uber-scary.” Bousman would clearly relish the opportunity to be involved in a new Leprechaun movie and he has already devised an outlandish storyline involving the leprechaun using a time machine to take part in the Colorado gold rush.
Fans of the leprechaun franchise will be heartened by Bousman’s enthusiasm for the movies and his suggestion that Warwick Davis, who played the Ewok Wicket W. Warrick in the Star Wars franchise, could feature in a reboot. The chances of this project coming to fruition will be helped by the fact that the 43-year-old director has already directed movies for Lionsgate, including four films in the Saw horror film franchise.
The Leprechaun franchise has a cult following and fans will be thrilled by rumors that a new movie is in the works. The possibility of horror legend Bousman being involved in a future reboot brings about an exciting possibility to take Lubdan the leprechaun on even more bizarre adventures, such as the Colorado gold rush, in the spirit of the original movie. If Bousman is unable to convince Warwick Davis to play the title role, there is the opportunity to use his replacement, Dylan Mark Postl.
