Robert Eggers is on fire at the moment. Following today's exciting news of Nosferatu nabbing Oscar noms and yesterday's reveal of his 13th-century set werewolf horror Werwulf, Deadline report that the director has apparently closed his deal to write and direct a new Labyrinth film for TriStar Pictures.
Deadline point out that Eggers' Labyrinth is a sequel, rather than a remake of Jim Henson’s 1986 classic.
Eggers is currently said to be writing the script with Icelandic writer Sjón, who worked with him on The Northman and the upcoming Werwulf.
Chris and Eleanor Columbus will produce alongside Lisa Henson with Brian Henson (Jim Henson's daughter and son respectively) executive producing.
Starring Jennifer Connelly and the late, great David Bowie, the fantastical Labyrinth followed a young girl tasked with rescuing her infant brother, Toby (Toby Froud) from the magical realm of the Goblin King Jareth (Bowie). Although underperforming upon release, the film quickly garnered a huge fanbase (and an annual fan masquerade ball to boot) and is considered one of the most beloved movies of many a childhood (as well as triggering many a fascination with Bowie's, ahem, eye-catching codpiece…)
A possible sequel has been talked about since 2016, with Sinister and Doctor Strange‘s Scott Derrickson at one point circling the project. Rumors have also circulated of Alex Skarsgård (Infinity Pool, The Northman) being attached to play Jareth at one point.
Revisiting the world of such a well-regarded classic is a brave move, and given that Eggers has made a name for himself as a horror-focused director, we're particularly intrigued to see how he'll approach a Labryinth sequel, and who (if any) of his roster of frequent collaborators will be on board. Willem Dafoe as Hoggle, anyone?
We'll bring you more Eggers Labyrinth news as we learn of it.
