What's going on with The Simpsons Movie 2? After years spent on television, The Simpsons finally got their own movie in 2007 and - surprise, surprise - it was a total hit. Given the success of the first film, conversations about The Simpsons Movie 2 have fired up over the past decade, and now there's reason to hope a Simpsons Movie sequel will happen evenutally.
The Simpsons Movie followed the titular, yellow-hued family as they went on the lam. The Simpsons were framed for an environmental disaster the didn't commit (well, sort of), resulting in a dome being placed over the town of Springfield because the town had become so hazardous. In between Homer and his brood trying to save the day, there were plenty of jokes and ongoing bits, including a very memorable Spider-Pig appearance.
As of July 2019, these are all of the updates about The Simpsons Movie and the possible Simpsons Movie 2, as told through interviews, box office receipts, and the film itself.
The Simpsons Movie Was A Success
The Simpsons Movie was a success. With an estimated budget of $75 million, it brought in $527 million worldwide, with a high majority coming from overseas. This was proof of how much an international audience loves The Simpsons and will watch them even after the show's decline. From a financial standpoint, there's no reason to not make a sequel.
The Simpson Movie 2 May Be In Early Development
Despite the success of The Simpsons Movie, it was reported there would be no Simpsons Movie sequel for years. Things changed in 2010 when Simpsons writer/producer James L. Brooks shared an apparent change of heart about a sequel movie, telling Coming Soon, "It was a huge success and we're very open to it and we have a beginning notion if we want to do it, but the series always comes first with us." This was reiterated multiple times over the next years, with creatives interested but non-committal.
Then, in 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported that, alongside movies for Bob's Burgers and Family Guy, a second Simpsons movie was in development. There has been no further discussion since and it's unclear how the Disney purchase of Fox will affect this project: the Mouse House has already cancelled several projects.
The Simpsons Movie 2 Can Follow Any Story It Wants
The Simpsons Movie ended with the Simpsons saving the day. Homer managed to destroy the dome with the help of Bart, a motorcycle and a bomb, and Springfield went back to its daily activities. The film ended with the usual shenanigans between Homer and Bart, signaling to audiences that everything had gone back to normal.
The Simpsons have never been beholden to one consistent story arc, whether it's within a television season or in a movie. The plot of The Simpsons Movie is so contained that it wouldn't need to be continued in a second film. However, an equally wacky story could surely be cooked up.
The Simpsons TV Series Is Still Going Strong
Fox renewed The Simpsons for seasons 31 and 32 in February 2019. This unprecedented renewal secured The Simpsons a place on the Fox television schedule through the 2020-2021 season. It was previously speculated the Disney-Fox deal could affect The Simpsons future, with Disney ending the show's television run after 30 years on the air and moving it into syndication. If that's the case, it won't happen for a long while yet.
So, even if The Simpsons Movie 2 doesn't end up happening, fans shouldn't be disappointed. Seasons 31 and 32 means the will be more Simpsons story to tell. Each past season has had 20 to 23 episodes, which means viewers will have at least 40 new episodes to enjoy over the next two years. And, of course, the full series of The Simpsons will be available on Disney+ at launch.