10 years ago this week, “The Simpsons Movie” was released in theaters, 17 and a half years after the iconic FOX animated series began. I still remember being shocked to see a teaser trailer, with Homer in a Superman shirt, that played before “Ice Age: The Meltdown” in March 2006. More hilarious teasers and major marketing followed, though the plot and Tom Hanks cameo were kept top secret until the release.
During the closing credits, Maggie asks “Sequel?” So, what have the showrunners thought about this idea? In 2014, James L. Brooks said, “We’ve been asked to [develop it], but we haven’t. We’re doing a lot of other stuff.” And he was right – from a crossover with “Family Guy”, to a LEGO episode, “Homer LIVE” and last year’s 27th “Treehouse of Horror” (which was also episode No. 600).
Al Jean said last year, “We talk about it, but if we do it we only want to do it if it’s going to be really good. We would never do it just to cash in, so if it comes out, it’s because we believe in it.”
I met Brooks at the Critics Choice Awards in December. When I asked him if a “Simpsons Movie” sequel is going to happening, he paused and smiled, saying, “Maybe. Maybe.”
“The Simpsons Movie” was nominated for every major Best Animated Feature category in the ’07-’08 Awards Season except The Academy Awards. Short film “Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare” was an Oscar nominee five years later.
“The Simpsons” has been renewed for Season 29 (starting in Oct.) and Season 30 – making it the primetime scripted series with the most episodes ever. This season’s premiere episode will feature Shaq and Norman Lear, and singer Ed Sheeran will play a love interest for Lisa in an upcoming “La La Land” spoof episode entitled “Haw-Haw Land”, which should be fantastic.
A “Simpsons Movie” sequel is certainly do-able – during or after (if/when) the show finally goes off the air. “SpongeBob” waited a little more than 10 years to release a second film chapter (a third is on the way for Aug. 2019). Seth MacFarlane has long rumored (and delayed and denied) a “Family Guy” film.
I think audiences would be pleased with a “Simpsons Movie 2”, but like Jean said, it has to be REALLY good.
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