In a fascinating recount, Producer Mike Finnell shared the journey of Chris Columbus’ menacing movie manuscript into the orbit of the notable Steven Spielberg. Finnell reminisced:
“Chris Columbus’ inception of ‘Gremlins’ occurred as a film student at NYU, while enduring the conditions of a less-than-ideal apartment. The skittering of mice sparked an epiphany; in contrast to colossal creatures like ‘Godzilla‘ and ‘King Kong‘, something diminutive could incite greater fear due to its ability to conceal itself. With that spark of inspiration, Columbus authored this speculative script. His script landed with an agency and CAA dispatched it in hopes of showcasing his writing prowess, deeming the film too outlandish to be produced.”
What constituted ‘outlandish’ you might ask? In the commentary track for “Gremlins,” director Joe Dante divulges that the original script penned by Columbus was distinctly more sinister. Consider the scene where Lynn (portrayed by Frances Lee McCain) has a skirmish with the gremlins in her kitchen and emerges victorious using household appliances. But in the primary draft, Lynn meets her demise by decapitation with her severed head tumbling down the stairs.
Dante also recounts a particularly grim scenario where Billy’s dog falls prey to the gremlins. And Finnell adds, “Another eerie scene unfolds as Billy and Kate step into a McDonald’s finding the patrons gruesomely devoured yet the hamburgers untouched.” Furthermore, Columbus originally envisioned Gizmo turning into Stripe, the lead gremlin antagonist. However, Spielberg, keen on keeping Gizmo’s adorable appearance consistent throughout, insisted Stripe be a separate beast altogether.
To discover the unabridged, R-rated narrative of “Gremlins,” enthusiasts can read the complete script here.
FAQ Section
What was the original version of ‘Gremlins’ like?
The original ‘Gremlins’ script, penned by Chris Columbus, was a considerably more violent and gory R-rated horror movie. The initial draft included disturbing scenes such as the protagonist’s mother being decapitated and gremlins devouring a dog.
Did Steven Spielberg alter the direction of ‘Gremlins’?
Yes, producer Steven Spielberg intervened to change significant elements of the movie. Most notably, he insisted that Gizmo, the Mogwai, should remain cute and cuddly throughout the film instead of transforming into the malevolent Stripe.
Can I read the original ‘Gremlins’ movie script?
Interested individuals can access the entire R-rated version of the ‘Gremlins’ script through an available link to a Google Drive document.