"Willy’s Been Freed Enough": There's A "Free Willy" Reboot Coming, And People Are Having The Most Hilarious Millennial-Coded Reactions

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The massive amounts of reboots have long been getting out of a hand. And when it comes to reboots of '90s classics, we've gotten so many movies we didn't need, like a new House Party and a rebooted Doolittle with Robert Downey, Jr. And we can't forget She's All That getting a He's All That reboot in 2021.

A movie poster for "He's All That" featuring actors with palm trees and cityscape background. Text: "It's his turn for a makeover. August 27. Netflix."

©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

And now, we can add another to the list: Free Willy is now reportedly getting the reboot treatment. Warner Bros. and the Russo brothers' company, AGBO, are teaming up to bring the 1993 aquatic adventure to a new generation.

A young boy interacts excitedly with an orca at a pool's edge

©Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection

So far, there's no official release date planned.

An orca leaps from a pool, thrilling three onlookers at an aquarium show

©Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection

Oh, Keiko, the icon you are. 

To say this movie defined a pivotal moment in my childhood would be an understatement. I was gifted the VHS for my birthday and Christmas that year, and tried to learn absolutely everything I could about orcas and how little me in Queens could get to an ocean and save one on my own. It's also when I told my parents to never take me to Sea World ever again.

A child in patterned shirt sits beside a whale, gently touching it, creating a tender moment

©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Not to mention Michael Jackson's save-the-world rally cry in the most beautiful classic, "Will You Be There" that still stirs my soul as an adult.

Performer energetically dances on stage with backup dancers in matching outfits during a concert

If you don't remember the original Free Willy or weren't born for its generational run, the 1993 film follows Jesse, a pre-teen who is always getting into trouble. Jesse befriends an orca, and throughout the film, he tries to free the orca from a local aquarium and get him back in the wild.

Child leans over pool edge, interacting with an orca. Scene from a movie

©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Free Willy mania lasted for a few years in the '90s, with an animated series and tons of straight-to-video sequels.

Animated boy fist-pumping in front of a waterfall with an orca looming behind

When it comes to a Free Willy reboot, though, people are resoundingly calling for the Russo brothers and co. to step away from this beloved '90s kid classic. Here's what people are saying on social media:

"Pretty sure no one was asking for this"

 "Pretty sure no one was asking for this."

@MTGraveStudio / Via x.com

"Can't wait for the post-credits scene where Willy gets recruited into the Avengers 😁"

Tweet joking about Willy being recruited into the Avengers post-credits scene

@the_real_ashik/ / Via x.com

"How exactly are you going to remake this movie with a modern lens? Free Willy aged incredibly poorly, especially with what is now known about orcas. This was a fun movie when I was a kid, in the 90s, but it should probably stay there."

Tweet questions remake of "Free Willy" and notes it aged poorly with current knowledge of orcas, suggesting it should remain a '90s memory

@TheRealMcKoy85 / Via x.com

"Michael Jackson won’t be singing the theme so it’s already -1000% aura just starting off."

Tweet joking about Michael Jackson not singing a theme song, humorously describing the aura as -1000%

@Tiny_Ones_Daddy / Via x.com

"Willy’s been freed enough. There’s been 4 movies already. Including a reboot already when they did free Willy escape from pirate cove."

 "Willy's been freed enough. There's been 4 movies already, including a reboot with Free Willy escape from Pirate Cove."

@perthovalman / Via x.com

Woman in a patterned dress exclaims, "Don't touch it! You'll ruin it!" in a comedic TV scene

@GovMuneguASM/ SNL / Via x.com

"Free Willy will return in Avengers: Doomsday"

 Doomsday

@NathanDrozario1 / Via x.com

"Michael can’t write another song for this one so we don’t want it!"

 "Michael can't write another song for this one so we don't want it!"

@YOUlove_Kay / Via x.com

"leave it tf alone!"

Man in a suit, from a TV show, yells "No! God please no!" with an open mouth expression

@southernstonerd / Via x.com

"My 90s heart just jumped like that orca Please don't mess this up"

Comment expressing excitement and hope for a 90s-related project, referencing an orca

@VO_ID2_0 / Via x.com

All I'm saying is leave Air Bud alone or we ride at dawn.

Child and dog wearing basketball jerseys on a court; child holds a basketball

©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What are you thoughts about a Free Willy reboot? Let me know in the comments.

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