Update 4/13/17

It’s been over a year since Nicole Perlman’s Labyrinth sequel was announced, and things have mostly been quiet on the Goblin front ever since. Presumably, the film was not only in development, but also giving fans time to grieve the loss of David Bowie, as many (myself included) could not imagine the universe without Jareth.

But all that changes today, as Deadline reports that the sequel has found a director and new writer: Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe) and Jay Basu (Metal Gear Solid), who are currently working on revamping The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series with The Girl In The Spider’s Web. No word if Nicole Perlman, who was originally pegged to write the script, is still involved.

Now before you get TOO upset, TriStar Pictures and the Jim Henson Co. have stressed that this is not a remake or reboot, but rather another story set in the Labyrinth universe. Alvaraz knows that a lot is resting on his shoulders, as he told Deadline, “Labyrinth is one of the seminal movies from my childhood that made me fall in love with filmmaking. I couldn’t be more thrilled to expand on Jim Henson’s mesmerizing universe, and take a new generation of moviegoers back into the Labyrinth.”

Us too, Fede! We hope you do us and the Goblin King proud.

More in our original story below:

Ok, look. Most of us have still not recovered from David Bowie‘s sudden departure from this planet last week, and even before his untimely passing, we probably would have said that Labyrinth does not need a reboot. In fact, the day before the news of his death broke, I was discussing the possibility of a Labyrinth reboot with friends, and when someone asked, “Well, who would play Jareth?” I replied, “David Bowie would just play him again, duh!” Because as we all know, David Bowie is and was a timeless presence, the perfectly dangerous, seductive Goblin King, and it is my firm belief that absolutely no one can replace him. Alas, this decision is not up to me, and a new Labyrinth movie is in fact on the docket.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tri-Star has closed a deal with the Jim Henson Co. for a new film, with a script by Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel writer Nicole Perlman. And while we are frankly devastated at the thought of a remake, we do love Nicole Perlman. And it’s worth noting that the exact details of the new film are, like the Labyrinth itself, very mysterious. In fact, Perlman JUST tweeted a response to the news:

Not "rebooting" anything, guys.

— Nicole Perlman (@Uncannygirl) January 23, 2016

So for all we know, it could be a sequel or spinoff. Still, it’s hard to see how a new film would capture the ultra-80s, glittering madness that makes Labyrinth so damn wonderful.

For those of you who have not seen Labyrinth (you’re missing out), it stars a young Jennifer Connelly as fantasy-obsessed girl who is whisked away to a magical labyrinth in order to save her baby brother from the aforementioned Goblin King… who just so happens to be madly in love with her. The movie was directed by Jim Henson, written by Terry Jones, and features art and costumes by the insanely talented Brian and Wendy Froud — with Bowie and Connolly, it’s quite the talented crew. It’s ALSO available to watch on Hulu right now, so what are you waiting for? Get on it and dance magic dance!

Image Credit: LVBART

While we’re at it, what about that new Dark Crystal movie we’ve been hearing about all these years? At least those puppets won’t miss the dulcet tones of their perfectly coiffed, endlessly sassy, creepy/sexy Goblin King. I wouldn’t want to be the actor who has to step into those riding pants after Bowie, that’s for damn sure.

More on this story as it develops, but in the mean time… What would you want from a new Labyrinth movie, if anything? What’s your favorite song from the soundtrack? Let us know in the comments below.

Images: TriStar

Rachel Heine is the Editor-in-Chief of The Nerdist and a lifetime Labyrinth fan (obviously). Send her Jareth gifs on Twitter @RachelHeine.