We recently posted a Short Circuit LEGO project that was in development. Much to our surprise, there were quite a number of readers calling for a Short Circuit reboot or remake or sequel with Johnny 5 returning to a modern setting. Well, it seems that there’s already something in the works. And it might be a Short Circuit 3.
The ’80s Short Circuit Movie
The ’80s were a treasure trove of unsung film franchises. Some of the most memorable titles come from this era, when budgets were low, and ingenuity was high, resulting in a fascinating array of movies that have since gone down as classics.
However, for every Goonies or Back to the Future out there, there are the ones like Short Circuit: a movie that had all the makings of an instant classic but also, for some reason, never capitalized on its potential. Perhaps it might have something to do with the box-office bomb that was Short Circuit 2, but that movie could also be considered a time capsule of the era, complete with all the charm and style we would expect from such an iconic sci-fi flick.
Short Circuit, from Tri-Star Pictures, told the story of Johnny 5, a military robot that gains sentience after being struck by lightning. Tim Blaney provided the voice and puppeteering for Johnny 5, while the cast featured Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Austin Pendleton, and Fisher Stevens. John Badham, who also directed Saturday Night Fever, helmed this film, which became just as memorable for its energetic soundtrack, which included Who’s Johnny by El DeBarge and More Than a Woman by the Bee Gees.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 62% rating from 39 critics, with many comparisons to E.T. and Batteries Not Included.
A Modern Setting
Now, almost four decades after the release of the first Short Circuit film, we have news about a possible revival of everyone’s favourite 80s robot. That’s right, Short Circuit’s Johnny 5 lives again with the much-anticipated reboot that’s in the works at Spyglass Media Group.
Rather than a new chapter in the life of the lovable android, Johnny 5, the new Short Circuit is set to be a retelling of the events from the first movie. The only noteworthy difference seems to be that the central family is now of Latin-American descent, but not much else is known about what forty years of technological advancement would mean for Johnny 5’s design.
Producers Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman are currently tied to the project, even though there’s still no news about a possible release date from the studio or which cast members would return (if any). However, it’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time that a new Short Circuit film has been proposed. Even in 2008, there were some very believable rumors going around about Dimension Films purportedly getting ready to release a new take on the classic sci-fi film.
Though Dimension did acquire the rights to Short Circuit, their proposed reboot never took flight for reasons that haven’t been made public. Rumours about the Dimension take on Short Circuit include a much darker take on the plot, including a Number 5 that would be a deadly menace rather than a friendly robot. Perhaps the producers thought they had bought the rights to Chopping Mall instead of Short Circuit? They were released the same year, after all.
Number 5 No Disassemble
Whatever the case, all signs point towards this new reboot being more in line with the rest of the franchise so far. Even if robots like Johnny 5 might not be as cool as they were in the ’80s, there’s still tons of narrative potential to see in a reinvigorated take on Short Circuit.
After all, no one expected that small films featuring a talking robot, like Ron’s Gone Wrong, could be so emotionally touching. There’s also the fact that 80s Hollywood films and their inevitable reboots are all the rage these days: whether it’s due to nostalgia or the current state of the world, there’s plenty of room for new takes on old films.
A Short Circuit Remake or Short Circuit 3?
Even though Short Circuit didn’t do well at the box office back in the day, it has since become a classic cult film that fans can enjoy. Perhaps Johnny 5 really was ahead of its time, not only because it was a functioning robot that didn’t need human control to perform actions but also because it showed us how we interact with technology today.
Twenty years after the cancellation of Short Circuit 3, a remake of the original film was announced in 2008. Dan Milano, known for his work on Robot Chicken, was hired to write the script alongside Steve Carr, director of Paul Blart: Mall Cop, who was set to direct the film. Early rumours suggested that Johnny 5’s appearance would largely remain unchanged, and the screenplay centred around a young boy forming a friendship with the robot.
Later, Tim Hill, the director of Hop, took over and envisioned a much darker take for Short Circuit 3, focusing on the ethical implications of using drones and robots in warfare.
In recent years, we haven’t gotten many updates about the film – unless you count Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie (which we don’t) and Disney’s Wall-E.
Despite its reputation as the era of bombastic action flicks, the ’80s also provided us with a healthy dose of wholesome stories that we could watch together as a family. Short Circuit is one of such films, and we’re glad that a new generation might soon re-discover the magic of Johnny 5 once again.
Tell us, do you want to see a Short Circuit reboot or remake with Johnny 5 or a continuation with a Short Circuit 3? Should Steve Guttenberg and Fisher Stevens return? Also, read our article on 80s actors who just disappeared and our list of the 26 best 80s kids movies.
