Frozen star Josh Gad is encountering obstacles in his Disney projects. Following the cancellation of his series Muppets Live Another Day, Gad now reveals that his movie Shrunk, a sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids starring Rick Moranis, is facing uncertainty. In an effort to drum up support, Gad shared a mock-up poster for the film and encouraged fans to express their enthusiasm to Disney.
The original 1989 film, directed by Joe Johnston, introduced Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski, a struggling scientist who invents a machine capable of shrinking matter while maintaining its structural integrity. The story takes a thrilling turn when Wayne’s kids, along with two neighboring children, accidentally shrink themselves and must navigate the perils of their own backyard in order to return home and regain their normal size.
Responding to inquiries about the film’s progress, Gad took to Twitter, stating:
A lot of u ask me what’s going on with this film. Truth is, we were inches from starting and then COVID hit, inches from starting again & then my schedule exploded with conflicts, inches from starting again & budget got the best of us. If you want it, let your local @disney know. pic.twitter.com/H5l24DQyoU
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 26, 2023
The original movie’s success spawned two sequels, a TV series, and even a Disney Parks attraction featuring a short video with Moranis. While the actor, famous for his portrayal of Wayne Szalinski, scaled back his acting career after the death of his wife to focus on raising his children, he has recently expressed interest in returning to acting for the right project.
Rick Moranis had committed to Shrunk, a film where Gad is set to take on the roles of writer, producer, and star. Joe Johnston is expected to return as the director. Despite the absence of an official synopsis or release date, budgetary concerns continue to be a challenge for Disney, particularly in light of recent underperforming films. It is worth noting that Disney has been prioritizing major intellectual properties such as Marvel and Star Wars, potentially affecting the funding and support for projects like Shrunk. Moreover, the removal of other streaming sequels from Disney’s platform, including Willow, Turner & Hooch, and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, raises uncertainty about Shrunk‘s fate.
As fans eagerly await updates on Shrunk, their enthusiasm and support could prove instrumental in convincing Disney to move forward with the project. By expressing their interest to Disney, fans can demonstrate the demand for a continuation of this beloved franchise, thereby increasing the likelihood of Shrunk becoming a reality.