Ke Huy Quan Reveals the Real Reason The Goonies Still Captivates 40 Years Later

Ke Huy Quan is back on the Goonies beat, and yes, he says a sequel is actually happening. As the 1985 adventure turns 40 next year, the actor who played Data dropped a little update while doing press in London for Disney's animated sequel Zootropolis 2 (called Zootopia 2 in the US).

Why The Goonies still works

Quan, who also did time in another '80s classic as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, says the movie endures because it captured a real, messy, kid energy. Director Richard Donner let the young cast be themselves, and that chemistry made it to the screen. They were just making a fun movie, not aiming for a legacy title, and then it stuck.

He told GamesRadar+ that even now, four decades on, fans bring up the same two things: what it was like to make it, and whether a sequel is finally happening. On that second point, he kept it simple:

"We are working on it. So, hopefully we will get to make one soon."

So, is The Goonies 2 real this time?

Earlier this year, a sequel officially moved into development with Steven Spielberg and original writer Chris Columbus on board as producers. Potsy Ponciroli is writing the script. There is no timeline or release date yet, which is Hollywood-speak for 'do not hold your breath, but do not give up either.'

The original adventure, in brief

The first film follows a group of kids who stumble onto an ancient map and chase lost treasure, with booby traps, bickering, and a surprising amount of heart. If you are dusting off your memory ahead of the anniversary, here is the core cast alongside Quan:

• Sean Astin
• Josh Brolin
• Jeff Cohen
• Corey Feldman
• Kerri Green
• Martha Plimpton

Meanwhile, Quan is snaking into animation

Quan is voicing Gary De'Snake in Zootropolis 2, which hits cinemas November 28. If you are in the US, you will see it under the Zootopia 2 title. Different name, same movie.