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The Goonies gang reunited for a virtual fundraiser this Saturday to benefit No Kid Hungry and its work feeding kids and families amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Stars of the classic 1985 adventure film — Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Martha Plimpton, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Jonathan Ke Quan, Jeff Cohen, Joe Pantoliano, and Robert Davi — participated in the fundraiser that was free to stream but encouraged donations.
The live stream began with a script reading of the Richard Donner film, penned by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg, narrated by Cary Elwes. The cast relived the film’s plot, which follows a ragtag group of kids, aka “the Goonies,” as they hunt for buried pirate treasure. Along the way, they run into trouble when they come face-to-face with the Fratelli crime family. The film is currently streaming exclusively on Peacock.
An initial goal of $100,000 was quickly reached during the script reading, with a push for $150,000 to be achieved by the end.
The upcoming event will mark the second high-profile Goonies reunion this year. Brolin, Astin, Plimpton, Feldman, Green, Quan, Cohen, Davi, Pantoliano, Donner, Columbus, Spielberg and theme song singer Cyndi Lauper previously joined Josh Gad for his series Reunited Apart With Josh Gad. That fundraiser has since been viewed more than 3 million times on YouTube.
In a question and answer segment followed the script reading, Feldman shared how the reunion earlier this year felt like a family getting back together and much of the cast has stayed in touch emailing each other.
Zach Braff, who guest-starred during the live stream in various roles, shared how he got goosebumps listening to Astin’s “It’s our time down here” monologue, adding how it was a meaningful speech to him as a child.
Brolin, as well as other cast, expressed how despite having taken on several noteworthy roles since the ’80s film, they are most often remembered by fans for being Goonies.
In a statement announcing the new Goonies gathering, Donner said the group was “honored” to have the opportunity to help No Kid Hungry.
“The same spirit of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie that the Goonies showed in our movie is what families all over the world are experiencing as we all face this pandemic,” he said.
Added Tom Nelson, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign: “With more students learning virtually than ever before and with record jobs and wages lost, an unprecedented number of kids are going hungry during this crisis. Amidst this increased need and an uncertain school year, kids need our support more than ever. We’re grateful to the cast of The Goonies, Warner Bros., and Warner Media and those tuning in to the reunion special to help ensure kids have access to the food they need.”
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