Fans of everything under the pop culture sun are converging at the San Diego Comic-Con this weekend. Those who love the Gremlins franchise got some exciting news about Gremlins: The Wild Batch animated series, the follow up to Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.
It was announced that Simu Liu will join the main cast, along side John Glover — star of the Gremlins: The New Batch — will return to the franchise as a guest voice.
Towards the end of Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Sam Wing, along with his pal Gizmo had just defeated the nefarious Riley Greene, a power-hungry industrialist and his growing army of evil Gremlins. However, one Gremlin managed to survive and stowed away aboard a ship that was heading to North America, which leads us to Gremlins: The Wild Batch.
Max confirmed that Gremlins: The Wild Batch would be set one year after the events of season one. It seems that the new adventure will be seen through an East meets West lens as Gizmo, Sam, and Elle travel from their home in Shanghai to San Francisco, bringing even more magic, mystery and Mogwai mayhem. They’ll journey deep into the American West, coming up against new supernatural creatures and picking up a few mysterious characters along the way.
Liu, whose credits include Shang Chi and The Legends of the Ten Rings and Barbie voices Chang. The new character is described as “a handsome, impossibly charming bootlegger and son to one of San Francisco Chinatown’s most powerful and influential families. His various escapades have led him to spend quite a bit of time in Alcatraz — so much so that his family believes he’s dead. After a twist of fate brings him together with Sam, Elle, and Gizmo, Chang will try to get back to Chinatown while also acting as the trio’s roguish guide to America.”
Glover’s role is being kept under wraps for the time being. He is best known for playing eccentric billionaire Daniel Clamp in the film sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
Other voice roles include Michael Paul Chan — another Amblin film alum who played Data’s father in The Goonies — making a guest appearance this season alongside an all-star guest voice cast featuring George Takei, Ronny Chieng, Keith David, Will Forte, Kelly Hu, and Jimmy O. Yang.
Ming-Na Wen (Fong Wing), James Hong (Grandpa Wing), BD Wong (Hon Wing), Izaac Wang (Sam Wing), AJ LoCascio (Gizmo), and Gabrielle Nevaeh (Elle) all return. While we can expect the Wings, Gizmo, and Elle to explore the Secrets of the Mowgi, it will be interesting to see how Glover’s role plays a part in The Wild Batch. Considering how his role is being closely guarded, it is likely that the Clamp family name will resurface.
Gremlins: The Wild Batch is set to be released on October 3, 2024