Rumors of a sequel to the great 1985 film, The Goonies, have been floating on and off since its release 36 years ago, but one of the original stars, Corey Feldman, believes it can’t happen anymore. In 2020, there were two distinct Goonies cast reunions that served as fundraisers for organisations during the COVID-19 epidemic, thus there was still hope that a sequel would be made. Even behind-the-scenes actors from the first movie made an appearance at one of the reunions, including producer Steven Speilberg, director Richard Donner, and writer Chris Columbus. Expectations were stronger than ever because the cast had been reenergized to take on a sequel.
Along with Feldman, the cast of The Goonies includes Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Cohen, Robert Davi, Anne Ramsey, and Martha Plimpton. A gang of outcast children are followed in the movie as they go on a quest after discovering an antique map that they believe will take them to long-lost pirate riches. It was well received when it was first released by both reviewers and viewers, and it ended up becoming the 9th highest-grossing movie of 1985. With home video releases, recurrent TV airings, and many theatre re-releases, the movie’s fan following has continued to expand over the years.
Feldman recently talked with Dread Central and revealed facts about the anticipated sequel. The performers are on board, he reaffirmed, but every time he gets pumped up about the project, his aspirations are shattered. Despite the fact that Columbus claimed to be writing the sequel’s script, nothing appears to have come of it. Feldman went on to discuss the reasons why he thinks the Goonies sequel is doomed. Focusing on Donner, the creator of the first movie, Feldman conjectured that his decision to take over the helm of Lethal Weapon 5 at the age of 91 effectively ends any hope of a sequel to The Goonies. Feldman remarked:
I have no idea what it even is. But all I know is that when I found out my dear friend Richard Donner had gone on to make Lethal Weapon 5 as his swan song, well, that pretty much stitched up the rumour mill right there. That’s it. Without Donner, we are unable to produce The Goonies 2. And [Donner] is currently engaged in gunplay with the Lethal Weapon crew.
Feldman quickly added that the ensemble still feels like a family and they want it to happen. Given Donner’s advanced age, Feldman may be correct. Later, he said that everyone involved still adored The Goonies, but claimed that the sequel had just failed to take off. He clarified:
The shame of it is that. Because the love is still there, just like when we performed the zooms the previous year, regardless of how many people have grey hairs on their faces. And the sense of belonging is still present. And I’m aware that each of us secretly pines for that enchanted [The Goonies 2] script to show up at our doors the following morning. But terribly, terribly, it still hasn’t come.
Feldman’s remarks may seem depressing to The Goonies fans, but it’s possible that the movie will continue in some other way. Fox requested a pilot in February 2020 for a show that will centre on a woman assisting a group of film students as they recreate The Goonies shot for shot. The Goonies may still find new life, even if not in a direct sequel, despite the fact that the show eventually wasn’t taken up. The Goonies 2 might not see Donner again because he is currently filming Lethal Weapon 5, but as any fan who is still holding out hope can tell you, Goonies never say die.
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