'The Goonies' sequel rumor is the latest example of fans' 'never say ...

It may have opened in theaters back in 1985, but fans’ passion for “The Goonies,” the Oregon-filmed adventure, is an example of the movie’s “never say die” catchphrase. For years, “Goonies” diehards have been yearning for a sequel. In the latest example of that interest, a rumor is circulating online that the longed-for sequel is finally happening.

The rumor is based on a story in the U.S. Sun, the stateside edition of the British tabloid, The Sun. As the U.S. Sun description says, it serves up “News, sport, celebrities and gossip.”

A U.S. Sun headline proclaims, “Classic 80s blockbuster film The Goonies to film a SEQUEL with many of original cast to star.”

Wow! Sounds exciting! Where is this information coming from? According to the article, “A source said: ‘The Goonies’ reboot has been talked about for a long time but it’s finally been given the green light to go ahead.”

The unnamed source goes on to make such claims as “The plan is to start developing the ideas for the follow up next summer, with a possible release date of 2026 or 2027″; and “It’s likely major stars will come back but the possibilities of where to take the sequel are endless.”

Cool! So, who is this source again? Who knows? The article provides no other details about who this gabby individual might be. Adding to the fact that this all sounds pretty vague, the report isn’t coming from entertainment industry reliable sources, such as The Hollywood Reporter or Variety.

But that hasn’t stopped other media outlets, such as the New York Post, from jumping on board to share the news.

It’s all a sign of just how eager fans of “The Goonies” are for any news of a possible sequel. Oregonians certainly know that “Goonies” fans are legion, as tourists regularly flock to Astoria and other north coast spots where the movie filmed on location.

The sequel rumor isn’t the only example of how “Goonies”-adjacent projects stir up interest.

For example, in early 2020, entertainment industry sites reported about a possible TV series about kids who have a goal of doing a shot-for-shot remake of “The Goonies,” and a teacher who agrees to help them achieve their dream.

As The Hollywood Reporter wrote, the Fox network ordered a pilot for the drama.

In December 2021, Variety reported that Fox passed on the project, “which it felt skewed too young for the network.” But what was then being called “Our Time” was being redeveloped at Disney Plus. “The Donner Company and Amblin, which were behind the original, are back on board,” the article said. That project hasn’t yet happened, however.

In another example of how “Goonies” nostalgia never says die, in April 2020, actor Josh Gad hosted a video on his YouTube channel in which original cast members Sean Astin (Mikey), Josh Brolin (Brand), Martha Plimpton (Stef), Kerri Green (Andy), Jeff Cohen (Chunk), Ke Huy Quan (Data), and Corey Feldman (Mouth) were reunited.

The reunion also included actors Joe Pantoliano and Robert Davi, who played the Fratelli brothers in the movie, director Richard Donner (who died in 2021), executive producer Steven Spielberg, Cyndi Lauper, and screenwriter Chris Columbus, who Gad asked about writing the movie, set “in the most exciting action-adventure setting of them all, Oregon.”

As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported, in answer to a question about a sequel, Spielberg said it was something that had been talked about, but that the creative team hadn’t been able to find an idea better than the original.

Meanwhile, another site known for its gossipy approach, The Daily Mail, has reported on how some “Goonies” fans aren’t all that crazy about the idea of a sequel. In an article with the headline, “The Goonies fans all issue same passionate plea after sequel announcement sends social media into meltdown,” The Daily Mail cites posts on X, sharing such thoughts as, “‘The Goonies’ is getting a sequel. I cannot express how much I hate this”; “Don’t they even dare reboot ‘The Goonies!’ Don’t even Touch it. That Film is Timeless!”; and another who wrote, “But the whole appeal of ‘Goonies’ is a bunch of kids going on an adventure with a treasure map. It’s something we all imagined doing as kids. If it turns into a bunch of weird or overweight adults going back to get some hidden treasure to pay off their bills, it’ll lose its magic.”

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— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, [email protected] or @Kristiturnquist

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