In the weeks since his tragic death, David Bowie's fans have no doubt been revisiting his vast catalogue of work, rediscovering old favourites from their collections. Many will remember the 1986 film Labyrinth — either fondly as the cult classic it's become or, perhaps, as the subject of their childhood nightmares — and a whole new generation might be getting the opportunity to experience a follow-up film.
The original was directed by Muppets mastermind Jim Henson and starred David Bowie as Jareth, the baby-stealing Goblin King, alongside a young Jennifer Connelly who played a 15-year-old girl named Sarah, working her way through the titular maze to find her little brother.
Over the weekend, rumours began to swirl about a potential reboot of the movie, causing fans to accuse anyone involved of profiting off of Bowie's death. Stepping in to clear up the situation, Guardians of the Galaxy writer Nicole Perlman explained that she had been involved in negotiations to create a sequel with the Jim Henson Company in late 2014, but that they had never planned on "rebooting" anything.
Since the online backlash against a reboot that is not happening broke out, Perlman has spoken to The Guardian. "All I can say is that the timing for the story was awful; it felt like a punch in the gut," she said, referencing the singer's recent death.
"Bowie's music helped me through some of the hardest times of my life," she added. "I respect him as a musician, an actor, an icon and, most importantly, as a human being. It would have been a dream come true, to write something for him."
The original was directed by Muppets mastermind Jim Henson and starred David Bowie as Jareth, the baby-stealing Goblin King, alongside a young Jennifer Connelly who played a 15-year-old girl named Sarah, working her way through the titular maze to find her little brother.
Over the weekend, rumours began to swirl about a potential reboot of the movie, causing fans to accuse anyone involved of profiting off of Bowie's death. Stepping in to clear up the situation, Guardians of the Galaxy writer Nicole Perlman explained that she had been involved in negotiations to create a sequel with the Jim Henson Company in late 2014, but that they had never planned on "rebooting" anything.
Not "rebooting" anything, guys.
— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 23, 2016
Henson Co & I started talking in late 2014, so the timing of these rumors is so upsetting. I would never seek to profit from Bowie's death.
— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 23, 2016
Labyrinth is my favorite film from childhood, so I share your concerns that any continuation of the world be handled with love and respect.
— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 23, 2016
Guys, please don't fall for all the clickbait. No one is remaking "Labyrinth." That movie is perfect as it is.
— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 24, 2016
Since the online backlash against a reboot that is not happening broke out, Perlman has spoken to The Guardian. "All I can say is that the timing for the story was awful; it felt like a punch in the gut," she said, referencing the singer's recent death.
"Bowie's music helped me through some of the hardest times of my life," she added. "I respect him as a musician, an actor, an icon and, most importantly, as a human being. It would have been a dream come true, to write something for him."
