‘Labyrinth’ Sequel In The Works With New Director Scott Derrickson and Screenwriter Maggie Levin

While a sequel for Jim Henson’s cult classic 1986 film, Labyrinth, has been in the works for over four years now, it seems like things are finally moving forward with the announcement of director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter Maggie Levin officially signed on to begin working on Labyrinth 2.

Scott Derrickson, who directed Dr. Strange but passed on the sequel after noting creative differences, will also be executive producing the new Labyrinth alongside Jim Henson’s children, Brian and Lisa Henson of The Jim Henson Company. Maggie Levin is now set to write the upcoming script for the movie coming off her recent work on writing and directing Hulu’s Into the Dark: My Valentine.

According to screenwriter Nicole Perlman, known for her work on Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel, Labyrinth 2 discussions began all the way back in 2014. Bad timing with plans of the sequel surfacing just weeks after Bowie’s death in 2016 overshadowed any excitement for the movie, temporarily shelving progress during the early stages.

Henson Co & I started talking in late 2014, so the timing of these rumors is so upsetting. I would never seek to profit from Bowie's death.

— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 23, 2016

In April 2020, Fede Alvarez, who was originally slated to direct the film, stepped down after discussing the project during the Boo Crew podcast. “It’s so hard to decide what’s worth your time, and what’s worth the attention of the audience. Labyrinth was something I was going to do at some point, but then I stepped down,” he said. “When people have a preconceived notion of what something should be, it’s very hard to succeed -- to surprise them. They’re just expecting the same thing again. So I just decided I didn’t want to do things as a director that people knew already what it was.”

There are currently few concrete details about what exactly this sequel will entail, and who, if anyone, will reprise David Bowie’s beloved portrayal of the Goblin King -- undoubtedly a tough act to follow. Despite this, it seems like Labyrinth 2 is moving ahead now that these initial decisions have been made, but only time will tell if the end result can create the same magic … or wind up in the Bog of Eternal Stench.