In the wake of the dismal Leprechaun: Origins attempting to take the franchise in a new direction, the Leprechaun series will return proper next year with Leprechaun Returns, which looks to be way more in line with the original films. Mind you, Warwick Davis was not brought back to reprise the title role, with Linden Porco (“Channel Zero”) taking over.
Leprechaun Returns, a Syfy Exclusive, was directed by Steven Kostanski (The Void) and will premiere in March 2019. In a chat with Slasher Radio Podcast this week, our new Leprechaun talked a bit about taking over the iconic role from Warwick Davis, interestingly noting that his performance was more inspired by Heath Ledger than Davis…
“I didn’t really try to take too much from [Warwick Davis]. I think everything in this movie is my own,” Porco told the podcast. “I modeled it actually after… you know The Dark Knight?… with Heath Ledger… basically that’s who I sort of… as soon as I thought of the Leprechaun, I thought of the Joker. So I sort of modeled the Leprechaun after that. Heath Ledger was absolutely outstanding in that movie. I just sort of modeled it after him a little bit. And put my own spin on it as well. I’m pretty happy with my performance in it.”
[Related] Meet Linden Porco, Star of “Channel Zero” and Your New Leprechaun
Porco also noted that Leprechaun Returns uses practical effects as much as possible, which is not at all surprising given the fact that Kostanski took the same approach with The Void.
“The film picks up 25 years after the events of the 1993 original, which found a maniacal Leprechaun doing whatever it takes (including committing gruesome murder) to track down his stolen pot of gold. Leprechaun Returns finds the leprechaun revived in the modern day when a group of sorority girls unwittingly awaken him while tearing down a cabin to build a new sorority house.”
The cast is led by Taylor Spreitler (Kevin Can Wait) as Lila; Pepi Sonuga (Ash vs Evil Dead) as Katie; and Sai Bennett (Lake Placid: Legacy) as Rose. The film will also bring back a co-star from the original film in Mark Holton, who will reprise his role as Ozzie, the group’s goofball friend almost killed by the leprechaun. Additional co-stars include Emily Reid as Meredith; Oliver Llewellyn-Jenkins as Matt; and Ben McGregor as Andy.
The new sequel is written by Suzanne Keilly (“Ash vs Evil Dead”).
