For many years, enthusiasts of the iconic The Goonies, a cherished 1980s cult classic, have dreamed of revisiting the thrilling treasure-hunting adventures of Mikey and his friends. This dream is now on the verge of becoming reality, as a sequel has been officially confirmed this year, aligning perfectly with the film’s 40th anniversary. Adding to the excitement, the original creatives, Chris Columbus, who penned the script for the original movie, and Steven Spielberg, are set to return as executive producers. While specific details regarding the plot and casting remain closely guarded, the original cast recently came together for a retrospective discussion with The Guardian, sharing their varied reactions about potentially joining the next chapter of this beloved franchise.
The retrospective interview featured three original stars: Joe Pantoliano, Sean Astin, and Kerri Green, along with two key crew members, director of photography Nick McLean, and camera operator Michael O’Shea. The group fondly reminisced about their extensive experiences on set and the film’s lasting legacy within popular culture. However, when the conversation shifted toward the sequel, their reactions ranged from skepticism to hope. McLean raised a poignant question: “Donner has died, so who would direct it?” referring to the late Richard Donner, the original director who passed away in 2021. Pantoliano, known for his role as the scheming Francis Fratelli, expressed concern that a suitable replacement should have been identified by now given the long gestation of the sequel. “They’ve been talking about sequels to this movie for years,” Pantoliano noted. “Spielberg would say: ‘They probably spent millions of dollars just in developing ideas for this thing.’
This significant investment in the sequel has evidently resulted in minimal progress thus far, but with the sequel’s official confirmation this year, fans can expect momentum to build quickly. Addressing his potential return as Mama Fratelli’s favorite son, Pantoliano expressed doubt, stating, “As far as I know, nobody’s called me.” This uncertainty sharply contrasts with co-star Ke Huy Quan‘s prior statement that the entire cast was eager to return. Meanwhile, Astin, who portrayed Mikey, the group’s fearless leader, expressed a more pessimistic outlook. “I would expect that it would not include us,” he remarked. “Maybe it’s just my desire not to raise my expectations. I root for it on behalf of the fans who love it.”
Exciting Possibilities: Original Cast Cameos in the Upcoming ‘Goonies’ Sequel
While the sentiments expressed by Pantoliano and Astin might imply that the sequel is unlikely to feature the original cast at all, Green, who portrayed Andy Carmichael, offered a more optimistic perspective. The actress hinted that she might be more informed than her co-stars, attributing this knowledge to a recent conversation with Columbus. “I had a nice conversation with Chris Columbus at Ke’s hand and footprint ceremony [at LA’s TCL Chinese theatre] recently,” Green revealed. She further disclosed, “It sounds like we all might have cameos in it, which would be so much fun.”
Green’s optimistic comments not only suggest that the script for the sequel is in active development, but also that the beloved original cast might indeed make a return, albeit briefly, possibly to pass the torch to a new generation of characters if Columbus chooses that route. Fans are eagerly anticipating more concrete information regarding what they can expect from The Goonies 2. As always, stay tuned for the latest updates regarding this exciting sequel.
Source: The Guardian
