The Leprechaun franchise is one I have vivid memories of growing up with as a kid. Warwick Davis’ charisma, humor, and one-liners were permanently etched into my brain and I realized the power a horror comedy could have. While others might not recognize the Leprechaun franchise for anything more than a cheesy way to spend their rainy afternoons, we can all agree on one thing. It would be great to see Warwick Davis back in the makeup again.
After years of hearing Davis talk about how badly he’d want to do another Leprechaun, I was beyond excited to see Leprechaun Returns announced. But then came the confusion – where was Warwick Davis? He seemed to have avoided talking about the film completely, at least until now. He finally explained why he chose not to reprise the character; and it’s not a reason you’d expect.
While speaking with Bang Showbiz, he explained,
“You know what, we did six ‘Leprechaun’ films, and around Halloween people always watch them and love them. Horror is an interesting medium. I think it’s different when you have kids; you look at horror in a slightly different way. Since I finished the ‘Leprechaun’ films I had kids and I see the world through their eyes, and to be in a horror movie right now is probably not quite right.”
He added,
“I will wait until my son turns 18 and then I’ll do some horror again.”
Well, that’s an understandable reason. But is it really justified? Obviously no one knows his children better than he does, but it’s surprising how well they react to these types of things. I remember a similar story on the set of George Romero’s Creepshow.
Actor Ted Danson, who played Harry Wentworth in the film, actually had his daughter visiting the set at the time. He just so happened to be drenched in seaweed and makeup, making himself out to be a very grotesque zombie. While he tried avoiding his daughter so he wouldn’t scare her, they eventually bumped into each other. Her reaction? A simple, almost bored, “Oh, hi Dad.”
If anything, it could be a good experience for Warwick Davis to show his kids how the movies are just make-believe. It’s not like he’s playing a brooding madman in a Rob Zombie film. He’d be a silly Leprechaun poking fun and running around like a goofball cleaning shoes or eating cereal. Sometimes a little horror comedy is exactly what the world needs. Or even what a little kid needs, as was the case with myself.
But that’s his decision, and hopefully he’ll make up for it whenever he returns to the horror genre.
Until then, Leprechaun Returns looks to be a decent installment that should hopefully bring the franchise back to its roots.