Nosferatu’s Robert Eggers to Direct ‘Labyrinth’ Sequel

Robert Eggers is adding another cult classic to his resume.

Following the success of modernizing the classic German horror film “Nosferatu”, Eggers is set to commence work on a fresh interpretation, titled “New Labyrinth”, inspired by the 1986 fantasy movie directed by Jim Henson.

As reported by Deadline, “the movie isn’t a remake but rather a sequel of Jim Henson’s 1986 original. Eggers is co-writing the script with Sjón, his collaborator on the 2022 action film about Vikings titled The Northman.

Apart from their current work, Eggers and Sjón are also delving into another intriguing project titled “Werwulf”. This narrative revolves around a farm boy hailing from an extraterrestrial world who encounters an ancient wizard with a call to embark on an adventure. As he ventures further into the cosmos, he uncovers a colossal space station – hold on, let me correct that, I seem to have mixed up my stories. In fact, it’s about a werewolf, which makes more sense in this context.

The classic film “Labyrinth” featured Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. Connelly played a teenage girl on a mission to rescue her baby brother from Bowie’s character, the ruler of the labyrinth where the infant had been hidden. Although the movie (directed by Henson for the last time) didn’t receive high praise from critics or viewers in 1986, its popularity has increased over time.

Previously, many stories have been set within the universe of the Labyrinth, primarily comics, but if it materializes, this would be the first true sequel. In recent times, other beloved ’80s Henson creations have received continuations. For instance, Netflix produced a television series for The Dark Crystal, and Apple TV+ has released multiple seasons of the classic children’s show Fraggle Rock.

In a significant career milestone, Eggers’ adaptation of “Nosferatu” has emerged as the director’s most successful film yet, earning an impressive global revenue of over $156 million. Today, it was announced that the movie has been nominated for four prestigious Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costumes, and Best Production Design.

12 Hit Movies That People Mistakenly Call Cult Films

Easy Rider (1969)

The topic – drug smuggling, hippies, motorcycle enthusiasts – might give the impression that Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” is an obscure film today. However, contrary to this perception, in 1969, “Easy Rider” was a massive mainstream success, earning over half a billion dollars in modern-day terms at the box office when adjusted for inflation. The movie garnered numerous Oscar nominations, kickstarted Jack Nicholson’s mainstream acting career, and served as a cornerstone of the “New Hollywood” era, where filmmakers like Hopper were granted access to studio funds and resources. So, “Easy Rider” is not a cult film.

Enter the Dragon (1973)

If you account for inflation, the film “Enter the Dragon” grossed approximately $2 billion at the box office. In my view, a movie that generates such an immense amount of revenue can hardly be classified as a niche or cult film. Moreover, this film played a pivotal role in popularizing martial-arts cinema within the American market, catapulting Bruce Lee to global stardom. Interestingly, following Lee’s death a month before “Enter the Dragon” was released, there was an influx of imitation films featuring Bruce Lee doppelgängers and imitators (a trend documented in the documentary “Enter the Clones of Bruce”). While some of these “Brucesploitation” movies might fit the cult film category, “Enter the Dragon” does not.

Star Wars (1977)

Isn’t it strange that the second highest-grossing film of all time (when adjusted for inflation) could be considered a cult classic? It just doesn’t seem right. In my opinion, Star Wars is the exact opposite of a cult movie. Yet, if you search online, you might still find Star Wars listed among the great cult films. I understand that there are dedicated Star Wars fans who are as fervent about the franchise as some religious cultists. But being fanatical doesn’t make Star Wars a cult movie. The only part of Star Wars I could see making an argument for as a genuine cult movie is the Star Wars Holiday Special.

Meatballs (1979)

Back in the late ’70s, I found myself thoroughly entertained by a comedy film called “Meatballs.” Although it may not be as well-known today, it was quite a sensation back then. It was one of the highest grossing movies of 1979, catapulted Bill Murray into stardom, and kick-started Ivan Reitman’s career as a director. There were even three sequels! Yet, I often see it listed among cult classics. Frankly, I can’t quite figure out why that is.

Airplane! (1980)

In another instance, a movie that became a significant financial triumph and paved the way for an entire comedic film genre – the rapid-fire spoof – is this one. The Zucker brothers may have been unconventional filmmakers when they approached Paramount to create Airplane!, but they were still part of the studio system, working on a project that boasted numerous well-known actors and earned a substantial amount at the box office. Although it had a distinctive sense of humor initially, it’s safe to say (or maybe Shirley) that Airplane! is anything but a cult classic today.

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Nowadays, with comic books and fantasy genres thriving as lucrative industries, it’s unlikely that Conan the Barbarian would be considered a cult film if released in 2024. However, the original 1982 Conan movie, inspired by Robert E. Howard’s pulp novels and boosted by the success of Marvel’s 70s Conan comics, frequently appears on lists for cult cinema. This is surprising given that the initial Conan, which had a substantial budget for its genre, was an instant success and has continued to sell well on cable and home video for over 40 years.

The Big Chill (1983)

At times, it seems that the term “cult” is being used as a synonym for “extremely popular,” but this misrepresents what truly defines a cult film – one that appeals to a small yet intensely devoted fanbase. Does The Big Chill, a classic from the ’80s known for its portrayal of the baby boomer zeitgeist through talented actors and a catchy retro soundtrack, strike you as a cult movie? It spawned a series of similar works like Thirtysomething and was centered around baby boomers socializing – hardly a cult phenomenon.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

In the 80’s, “The Breakfast Club” served as a significant milestone for many young viewers, almost universally watched by high school students across generations. Critics praised it and it was financially successful, earning it the title of a “cult classic” among fans today. However, I believe it is more accurate to simply call it a “classic.” There is a distinction, even if it’s not always recognized.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

In the late ’80s, everyone seemed to be attempting the iconic dance move from “Dirty Dancing”, where Patrick Swayze gracefully lifted Jennifer Grey as if she were floating in the sky. The film’s earnings surpassed $200 million worldwide, a staggering amount for a drama centered around sensual dancing. However, please refrain from including “Dirty Dancing” on your list of cult films.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

It’s tempting to categorize “Edward Scissorhands” as a cult film due to its unique aesthetics and Tim Burton’s distinct gothic style. However, it’s essential to consider the facts. At the time when Burton directed “Edward Scissorhands”, he was already a highly sought-after director in Hollywood, following the success of movies like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Batman.” Although “Edward” may not have been as successful as “Batman,” it was still a box office hit, earning $86 million. While Tim Burton has created cult films such as “Ed Wood,” “Edward Scissorhands” doesn’t fall into that category.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

If you insist on labeling “Reservoir Dogs” as a cult film, I can’t stop you. However, it’s important to note that Quentin Tarantino’s initial film didn’t garner widespread acclaim or success, finding its footing only after the massive success of “Pulp Fiction.” But here’s the catch; “Pulp Fiction” isn’t a cult classic. It earned exceptional reviews, won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and was heralded as groundbreaking work from an emerging talent. The film sparked numerous independent crime movies and revitalized John Travolta’s career while solidifying Samuel L. Jackson as a leading star. Moreover, it grossed more than $200 million globally. In my opinion, these factors make “Pulp Fiction” far from a cult movie.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

It appears that the tendency is to categorize popular comedies with a hint of subversive humor as “cult movies.” I believe it’s accurate to call “Anchorman” a “surprising success,” given that it likely surpassed DreamWorks’ expectations, and significantly boosted Will Ferrell’s reputation beyond his status as an exceptional Saturday Night Live cast member. However, when a comedy grosses nearly $100 million, the director and star go on to create numerous subsequent films together (including sequels), the main character becomes a common sight on merchandise like T-shirts, and the character appears in interviews, television shows, and even mainstream media events such as Ron Burgundy’s interview with Peyton Manning on ESPN, it’s not a cult classic—it’s a widely popular hit.

2025-01-23 23:23