"The Last Starfighter" Sequel in the Works

---

No, not a remake! A sequel! In a bit of a shocking announcement by Jonathan Betuel, co-writer of the original 1984 sci-fi action adventure film The Last Starfighter, has announced a sequel to that film could be in the work with Betuel particularly noting Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) in an interview with Moviehole this week. In particular, he noted excitement to collaborate with Whitta as legal issues that have prevented the sequel from happened are lessening:

“It looks like we’ll be making the deal to get it going. Gary’s a gifted collaborator, we’ll be writing the script together but it’s taken a long time. I had to go through a process that took years to recapture the rights, but that was recently completed and although nothing is ever clear sailing, it looks like we have a really good opportunity now. So I’m really looking forward to taking it up.”

He also confirmed that it's, in his words, a “movie with all the bells and whistles” and that any rumors of other continuations such as a TV series will not happen. He also noted it will be a standalone sequel that will not require audiences to see the original film:

“The leads are now parents and time has passed. It’s not a remake, it’s going to continue the story. What’s changed is time itself, certainly as the video world and the alien world have continued to tick away. It’s not a time capsule of the ’80s by any means, we’re taking it to the next level. Passing the torch…or the joystick.”

The original followed a young man living in a trailer park who, after scoring high on an arcade game called Starfighter, is kidnapped by aliens and discovers the game is a training simulator for a real-life intergalactic war that he has been drafted into. Wherever the sequel might go from there, no doubt fans will be quite excited to get back into the cockpit. Stay tuned!