James Gunn's Troma-Style Horror Comedy 'Slither' Gets Reboot

The director's early film receives a glossy repackaging after his later success with DC Universe

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:23am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes and splashes of bright red, conceptually representing the horror and comedy elements of the 'Slither' film.A glossy repackaging of James Gunn's early horror comedy film 'Slither' aims to capitalize on the director's later success with the DC Universe.Washington Today

The Guardian has reviewed the reboot of James Gunn's 2006 horror comedy film 'Slither', which is receiving a new release after the director's later success with the DC Universe. The original film, which had a thinly conceived plot, is now getting a glossy repackaging, seemingly for no other reason than to capitalize on Gunn's reputation.

Why it matters

Gunn's early work on 'Slither' established his unique blend of horror and comedy, which would later become a signature style in his high-profile superhero films for DC. This reboot provides an opportunity for fans to revisit Gunn's roots and see how his filmmaking has evolved over the years.

The details

The 2006 film 'Slither' was Gunn's directorial debut, featuring a plot about a small town overrun by an alien parasite. While the original had a thinly conceived storyline, the new reboot aims to give the film a glossier, more polished look and feel, likely to capitalize on Gunn's later success with the DC Universe.

  • The original 'Slither' film was released in 2006.
  • The reboot of 'Slither' is being released in 2026, 20 years after the original.

The players

James Gunn

An American filmmaker who is known for his work on the DC Universe, including directing 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'The Suicide Squad'.

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The takeaway

This reboot of 'Slither' provides an opportunity for fans to revisit James Gunn's early work and see how his unique blend of horror and comedy has evolved over the years, especially in light of his later success with high-profile superhero films.