Several cast members from the 1985 film The Goonies recently reunited and addressed a persistent rumor regarding the movie's filming. Actor Sean Astin was among those present, speaking about the scene involving the discovery of One-Eyed Willy's pirate ship.
During a panel discussion at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C., on April 5, Astin debunked the rumor that the young cast members saw the ship for the first time while filming to capture authentic reactions.
"I was sort of offended that they had that idea," Astin said, suggesting the notion implied the child actors were incapable of performing genuine reactions on cue. He added that he had a sneak peek of the set and performed in a way he hoped would convince filmmakers they captured spontaneous responses.
Martha Plimpton, another cast member present, offered a differing experience, stating that she had not seen the ship beforehand and that her reaction captured on film was honest. Joe Pantoliano, who also attended, jokingly inquired how many takes of her reaction were needed, to which Plimpton replied, "One." Corey Feldman, also part of the reunion group that included Kerri Green and Robert Davi, recalled the "coolest thing" about filming the scene was that the water in the set was heated.
The reunion comes as the film marks its 40th anniversary next year and continues to find new audiences. The Goonies is currently streaming for free on Tubi, making the classic adventure story available without cost.
Reports confirmed Warner Bros. is developing a sequel to The Goonies. The original cast members, including Sean Astin and Corey Feldman, have expressed interest in returning for a new installment, though details remain unconfirmed.
Earlier this year, several Goonies stars, including Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, and Kerri Green, reunited to support Ke Huy Quan as he was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Brolin praised Quan during the event for his resilience in the entertainment industry.
Feldman stated at the Awesome Con panel that he and other cast members hope Steven Spielberg, who was involved in the original film's story and production and is reportedly producing the sequel, stays engaged in the project.
