Honey, I Shrunk the Reboot! Josh Gad & Joe Johnston to bring franchise back

By Steve Seigh

Posted 6 years ago

Without a doubt, one of my favorite live-action Disney films from my youth is HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS. The 1989 classic directed by Joe Johnston (JUMANJI, THE ROCKETEER) stars Rick Moranis (GHOSTBUSTERS, SPACEBALLS) as a scientist father named Wayne Szalinski, who accidentally shrinks his son and daughter, alongside two other neighborhood teens, to the size of insects. Once miniaturized, the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for a way to bring them back to their original size. Truth be told, I used to fantasize about being reduced in size and stature, then going into my backyard for a series of small-scale adventures. While the trip would undoubtedly be a dangerous one, I'd embrace the journey nonetheless.

Today it's been announced that Johnston is in negotiations to helm Disney's upcoming reboot of the premise, which has Josh Gad (FROZEN, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS) in talks to star.

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According to Variety, Gad pitched the story idea to Disney earlier this year, and the studio was eager to revisit the franchise based off of Gad's presentation. During Disney's search for directors, the House of Mouse had met with several potentials, though ultimately felt that bringing Johnston back for the job was best for all involved. Producing the new "Shrunk" project will be David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman by way of their Mandeville Films and Television studio, with Todd Rosenberg set to write the script.

For the new film, Gad will play Wayne Szalinski's son, who follows in his father’s footsteps by not only becoming a scientist, but also accidentally shrinking his children.

For a time, Johnston's "Shrunk" reboot was being considered for Disney+, though enthusiasm from studio execs has bumped the project up to a theatrical release. To be clear, the film is still very much in development and has yet to be given the green light.

What do you all think of HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS making a return to the big screen? Do you have fond memories of the original trilogy of films? Let us know in the comments section down below.

Source: Variety

Tags: Ed Naha, Family, Honey, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Joe Johnston, Josh Gad, Kristine Sutherland, Marcia Strassman, Matt Frewer, Rick Moranis, Tom Schulman

About the Author

Steve Seigh

News Editor / Columnist

10,212 Articles Published

Favorite Movies: Death to Smoochy, The Big Lebowski, Fear and Loathing in Las read more Vegas, The Crow, KPop Demon Hunters, The Sword in the Stone, Spirited Away, The Fisher King, The Shining, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, The Burbs, The Babadook, Summer Wars, The Princess Bride, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Game, In the Mouth of Madness, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Monsters Inc., Amelie, The Crow, Fight Club, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Likes: Getting lost in waves of sound while cocooned in a pair read more of serious headphones, comic book characters, film, and television, a delicious tumbler of whiskey, scientifically-inclined Canadians, wearing pajamas in public, pancakes, bacon, and long walks on the beach

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