Find out how Gizmo went from lovable hero to evil villain in the original ‘Gremlins’ script.
Darkness lurks in the most unexpected corners. In a quiet town, a moguwai named Gizmo could be the protagonist of a horror story, where cuteness turns to horror. This year marks the 40th anniversary of ‘Gremlins’, but there’s an untold, dark and chilling story behind this horror comedy.
Gizmo that we never knew
In the mind of Chris Columbus, who is now acclaimed for directing ‘Home Alone’ and several Harry Potter films, ‘Gremlins’ was born not as a comedy but as a pure horror story. Columbus envisioned a movie that had no humor at all, inspired by the rats in his New York apartment. The original Gizmo was not the beautiful creature we know, but the leader of a terrifying army.
The original script featured Billy as a brooding, nerdy-looking banker, far from the charismatic character we know. In this dark version, their world is rocked by Gizmo’s transformation into a monstrous creature. Here, the story of love and heroism that Mother shows towards the creatures takes a backseat, leaving room for a more brutal story.
A script that rewrites the rules of horror
The Columbus narrative is a roller coaster of intense emotions. Think of Lynn as Billy’s mother, not as a gremlin-killing heroine, but as a woman addicted to Valium. Rand, an eccentric innovator, becomes an eccentric businessman. And to his horror, the lovable Gizmo, leader of an army of gremlins that even eats the innocent family dog.
The first issue of ‘Gremlins’ takes us down a path of death and destruction, with beloved characters disappearing in shocking ways. Think of what happens when Lynn’s severed head rolls down the stairs, or when young Pete gets eaten by gremlins instead of fighting them. Instead of the comedy at Dory’s Tavern, we get a macabre scene at McDonald’s where gremlins eat customers instead of food.
A completely different ending
In the original ‘Gremlins’ script, the final act takes place in a movie theater, but in a different setting than the final film. The heroes play “Snow White” as a distraction as they plan to blow up the building without being a gremlin. After the explosion, several gremlins escape and reproduce, leading to Dory’s death and Gary’s betrayal and death at the hands of the gremlins. Billy and Tracy’s escapades with the gremlin in the backseat end in a final battle in the greenhouse, not the department store. A scene that reminds us a lot of one of the most legendary series from Gremlins breaking the fourth wall.
Also in this version, the fight is not against a single gremlin leader, but against a crowd, and is resolved by Sunrise, which destroys the gremlins, albeit in a less shocking way than with a Rambo-style gizmo in a carriage. Defeating Barbie. Armed strip.
The script ends with a scene that hints at a sequel: a worker finds and removes a toolbox with a gremlin in it, which ends up in the lake, suggesting that the terror is about to start again. This open ending contrasts with Spielberg’s film, which emphasizes the importance of strong characters and the unique hero Gizmo. Even though R-rated horror movies are popular, Spielberg in “Gremlins” enriches the film with characters beyond mayhem and monster killings and a popular hero like Gizmo.
Gremlins: The Spielberg version
Fortunately, Steven Spielberg stepped in to soften the script, turning the film into the mix of comedy and horror we know today. Gizmo became a popular hero and the film combined laughs with chills. But it’s fascinating to imagine what might have happened if the ‘Gremlins’ had followed the dark path Columbus first charted.
‘Gremlins’ was not only a box office success but also left an indelible mark on pop culture. From inspiring characters like Furbys and Groove in ‘The Mandalorian’, to impactful PG-13 ratings, ‘Gremlins’ is a showcase for storytelling and creative power. Balancing horror and comedy, this film shows us how an idea can be radically altered and still capture the imagination of generations.