It seems that every movie is getting a reboot these days, so it’s surprising a cult classic as iconic as Killer Klowns From Outer Space hasn’t received that same treatment. The Chiodo Brothers-directed horror-comedy film has been due for a sequel since its release in 1988, and fans still want it: just in 2018, SYFY was in talks to purchase the rights for a sequel or reboot. Sadly, there has been nothing but silence since. With SYFY being the grounds for horror reboots (Chucky coming in October), Killer Klowns From Outer Space deserves to have a modern spin in the 21st century as well.
The $1.8 million budget movie was the only film that the Chiodo Brothers ever directed, and they were also responsible for writing, producing, and the practical effects and makeup as well. The film is about a group of evil aliens from outer space who disguise themselves as circus clowns. Arriving on Earth, they invade a small town and kill all the humans with their bizarre weapons.
Killer Klowns has everything one could want from a monster movie: unreliable teenagers, an overworked deputy, and many murders. Although not a huge success upon release, it's since garnered a cult following. Even with its small budget, the film utilizes what they have with the eccentric practical effects, makeup, and props. Along with its zany plot and ultra-80s soundtrack composed by John Massari, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a classic in its own right.
Killer Klowns begins with teenagers Mike (Grant Cramer) and Debbie (Suzanne Synder). The couple sees a comet crash, so of course, they investigate. They approach a clown house, and as they go inside, they discover a peculiar room filled with hundreds of mirrors. They are spotted by a clown, who uses his cotton candy cocoon gun, an ultra-colorful and almost toy-like looking weapon, to shoot popcorn at them. After escaping and reporting what happened to Deputy Mooney (John Vernon) and Hanson (John Allen Nelson), the murders continue to happen.
The original is a low-budget B film with cheesy acting and over-the-top clown music, but with the heightened popularity surrounding the film, a lot more can be done with a reboot. The same iconic clown makeup can stay, along with a similar plot, but with films such as It (2017) and Rob Zombie’s 13 (2016) having success, clowns are more recently enjoyed in full-on horror films. With modern technology such as CGI and the way practical effects have improved, a reboot could utilize these varying techniques to make the film more terrifying than ever.
It would be intriguing to see how modern effects and makeup would update and modernize the cult classic, making it scarier. The film could transform into something new and refreshing like a tv series: something that honors the original but has a fresh take on it.
Killer Klowns has the perfect mix of comedy and satire, but it also has some rather creepy moments that can be upgraded in a reboot. One moment in particular that appears much darker compared to the otherwise light tone of the film is a scene with Deputy Dave watching a hand puppet show. The killer clown uses his victim, Deputy Mooney, as the puppet. A close-up of a dead-pan face with blood running down his chin, the puppet (Deputy Mooney) says to Dave in a low, petrifying voice: "Don't worry Dave, all we want to do is kill you.”
Another significant scene is a short-lived but spine-tingling moment between a little girl in an ice cream shop and a clown. She is playing peek-a-boo with the clown through the window, then lured to go outside. The whole scene is in slow motion, switching between close-ups of the little girl’s innocent smile juxtaposed with the clown’s menacing face. The entire scene coincides with an atmospheric and eerie instrumental. This moment was actually rather chilling for an otherwise hilarious movie.
Not only are fans of the film wishing for a reboot, but so is co-director Edward Chiodo. When interviewed for ComicBook.com and asked about the possibility of a reboot, Chiodo stated: "Hopefully we get the opportunity to play with our ideas, but it would be very interesting... seeing some of the fan art, how they've taken it to a new vision, a new direction, maybe a little more visceral than we would ever take it, so I think there is a great opportunity to take it to a new level and still honor the original and make it something that resonates with today's audiences."
Unfortunately, chances are looking slim that a reboot on SYFY will happen even with the approval of Chiodo. The Killer Klown franchise is owned by 20th Century Fox, which Disney now owns. This doesn’t mean that a reboot is entirely out of the picture, though. The Chiodo Brothers made the film without help from big studios back in 1988, and hopefully, they can do it again.
Everything about Killer Klowns is iconic: the music, makeup, comedy, and the over-the-top carnival colors. Killer Klowns From Outer Space is a comedy-horror, emphasizing comedy, and it uses it to its advantage. The film has no interest in scaring the audience but instead taking them on an outlandish adventure. With all this being said, a new darker spin on the original could take the franchise to a whole new level that could have never been imagined.