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.
©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.
©Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection
So far, there's no official release date planned.
©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.

©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.

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.

©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.

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"

@MTGraveStudio / 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."

@TheRealMcKoy85 / Via x.com
"Michael Jackson won’t be singing the theme so it’s already -1000% aura just starting off."

@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."

@perthovalman / Via x.com

@GovMuneguASM/ SNL / Via x.com
"Free Willy will return in Avengers: Doomsday"

@NathanDrozario1 / Via x.com
"Michael can’t write another song for this one so we don’t want it!"

@YOUlove_Kay / Via x.com
"leave it tf alone!"

@southernstonerd / Via x.com
"My 90s heart just jumped like that orca Please don't mess this up"

@VO_ID2_0 / Via x.com
All I'm saying is leave Air Bud alone or we ride at dawn.

©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

1 hour ago
2











English (US)