Renowned director Joe Dante, known for his work on the beloved Gremlins franchise, has recently provided an important update regarding the highly anticipated Little Shop of Horrors reboot, which has been in the works since March 2024. This exciting project draws inspiration from the iconic 1960 horror comedy film directed by Roger Corman, which has become a classic in its own right.

Upon the announcement of this project, it was disclosed that Dante had been enlisted to direct the reimagining of Little Shop of Horrors. The screenplay for this adaptation was crafted by the talented Charles S. Haas, who is known for his work on Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Tragically, prior to his passing in May 2024, Corman was initially set to produce the remake, collaborating with Emmy-nominated producer Brad Krevoy and Charles Cohen to bring this vision to life.

Latest Developments on Joe Dante’s Little Shop of Horrors Reboot

In a recent interview, Dante revealed that the development of his much-awaited Little Shop of Horrors reboot has come to a halt. While he did not elaborate on a particular reason for the project’s indefinite postponement, he did mention the significant challenges currently facing filmmakers in securing green lights for new projects.

“The word is ‘stasis,’ not status. At the moment, like so many things in town, nothing’s happening, and we always hope that will change, but it’s not the greatest time right now to get projects off the ground,” Dante explained, highlighting the current state of the film industry.

The original 1960 film, directed by Roger Corman and based on a screenplay by Charles B. Griffith, featured a stellar cast including Jonathan Haze as Seymour, Jackie Joseph as Audrey, Mel Welles as Gravis, Dick Miller as Burson, Myrtle Vail as Winifred, and Wally Campo serving as the narrator. The film has earned a remarkable Tomatometer rating of 94%, based on 16 reviews, reflecting its enduring popularity. In 1982, the film’s cult following led to an adaptation into an off-Broadway musical, thanks to the creative talents of composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. This musical was later transformed into a 1986 film featuring stars such as Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, and Steve Martin.

The synopsis for the 1960 classic reads: “Seymour Krelboin works in the Skid Row flower shop owned by Mr. Mushnik. In his spare time, Seymour creates a new plant species he names Audrey Junior in honor of his girlfriend Audrey. However, Audrey Junior begins to speak and demands to be fed human blood and flesh, coercing Seymour into committing heinous acts, including the murder of a railroad detective, a sadistic dentist, and a trollop. Overwhelmed by guilt from these actions, Seymour ultimately faces a gripping confrontation with Audrey Junior.”

(Source: The Direct)