PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Released in the US on February 25, 1997, Brian Trenchard-Smith’s Leprechaun 4: In Space turns 25 this month. To celebrate, we have compiled a list of fun facts about the film. One small step for man. One giant leap for terror!
Resurfacing on an alien planet, the Leprechaun (Warwick Davis: Leprechaun franchise) abducts a member of the world’s royalty, Princess Zarina (Rebekah Carlton: Baywatch TV series), in an attempt to wed her and become the supreme ruler. Unfortunately for him, well-armed soldiers arrive to foil his plans and a battle in space soon ensues.
Top 10 Fun Facts About Leprechaun 4: In Space
1) According to Dave Tripet, the executive in charge of production for the first three movies, this film originally started out as a spoof of Apollo 13 (1995). A senior Trimark executive saw the promo art for Apollo 13 and immediately had artwork made up replacing Tom Hanks’s face on the poster with the Leprechaun’s face, and this is what started the script work for the movie.
2) The title character is never once in the film referred to as a leprechaun. He is only called “alien,” “monster,” “bastard,” or some combination thereof.
3) Leprechaun uses a lightsaber. The actor who plays Leppie, Warwick Davis, has appeared in several Star Wars movies, most notably as Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983).
4) The sound of the doors opening and closing are taken from the original DOOM video game, where it was used as the sound of the elevators.
5) Due to Brent Jasmer’s strong resemblance to Sylvester Stallone, director Brian Trenchard-Smith originally planned to have Jasmer do an impression of Stallone for the entire film. He later dropped the idea, fearing legal issues.
6) This film was Jessica Collins’s debut.
7) Brian Trenchard-Smith has said that he was disappointed by the final quality of the special effects, calling them “below Playstation.”
8) At about 8 minutes into the film, two Millennium Falcon toys can be seen painted into the walls of the Dropship.
9) Erik Avari was considered for the role of Dr. Mittenhand.
10) The film takes place in 2096.
