The wait is over! Almost 40 years after the release of The Goonies, a sequel is finally happening. When The Goonies hit theaters in 1985, it wasn’t just another adventure film, it took the world by the storm. Decades later, it remains one of the most-watched ‘80s movies.
Warner Bros. has officially confirmed The Goonies 2 is in development. This has brought excitement to fans who have spent years hoping for the return of Mikey, Data, Mouth, and the gang. But with the passing of director Richard Donner, how will the sequel take shape? And will the original cast return for the next franchise? Here’s everything we know so far.
Who is directing ‘The Goonies 2?’
One of the biggest questions surrounding The Goonies 2 is who will take the director’s chair. The original film was directed by Richard Donner. He often talked about a sequel but was particular about how it should be handled. Sadly, he passed away in 2021.
With Donner gone, the search for a new director is ongoing. While no one has been confirmed yet, Steven Spielberg’s return as producer ensures that the project is in capable hands. His company, Amblin Entertainment, is leading production alongside Kristie Macosko Krieger (West Side Story), Holly Bario (The Girl on the Train), and Chris Columbus, the original Goonies screenwriter. The script is being penned by Potsy Ponciroli, known for Old Henry (2021).
The Goonies 2 is still in early development, and no official release date has been set.
Are the original cast members returning? While no official cast has been announced, many original actors have expressed interest in returning. Ke Huy Quan, who won an Oscar in 2023, has said he would “love for it to happen.” Corey Feldman and Sean Astin even pitched a sequel idea to Richard Donner years ago, though it was deemed too expensive at the time. Now, with Warner Bros. backing the project, the chances of seeing the original Goonies together again seem higher than ever.
The first film follows a group of kids who go on a treasure hunt to save their neighborhood; however, the plot of The Goonies 2 remains a mystery. Richard Donner once suggested it should focus on the characters as adults. It’s up to the new director and writers to follow this vision or take another approach. As we wait for more updates, one thing is sure: The Goonies really never say die.