Fans had to wait more than two years for the latest season of Adult Swim's hit show Rick and Morty, and after show co-creator Justin Roiland teamed up with a fellow Rick and Morty writer in 2018 to create Solar Opposites for Hulu, there's reason for speculation and fear from fans that Roiland's side project will delay season 5 of Rick and Morty. Solar Opposites has already been renewed for another season, as Rick and Morty begins to wind down season 4.
Solar Opposites follows a family of aliens who arrive on Earth after their own planet is destroyed. The aliens aren't sure what to make of their new home and are a constant mix of fascinated and frustrated with life on Earth. The animation feels so familiar that it's easy to forget that it's a different show with a different premise than Rick and Morty. At only 8 episodes, the season is a quick watch and the banter between characters will remind fans of the scripting between the grandfather and grandson duo that make up Rick and Morty.
With fans eager to find out if Solar Opposites will affect future episodes of Rick and Morty, voice actor Chris Parnell provided insight to IGN last week. Parnell shared reassurance and good news to viewers, saying that season 5 of Rick and Morty will not be delayed the way season 4 was. He noted the season 5 scripts are already written and some storyboards are together, but none of the voice recordings or animations have begun. However, while other shows and movies in production are indefinitely on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, animated series are not experiencing similar disruptions. Parnell noted that voice recording can be done at home, and much of the animation process can be handled outside a typical studio.
Rick and Morty first debuted on Adult Swim in 2013 and has developed a large following of devoted fans. Despite the show running for nearly seven years, the seasons are inconsistent. While a slow release schedule is relatively common with animated shows, Rick and Morty has seen unusual delay times, with over two years between the release of seasons 3 and 4. Contract negotiations and production delays have put hiccups in the show's progress. Even the current season has seen an unstable release schedule with nearly six months in between newer episodes.
Solar Opposites full 8-episode first season is available on Hulu, and the current season of Rick and Morty has only four episodes left until the May 31 season finale on Adult Swim. Season 5 does not yet have a release date, but fans can rest easy knowing they won't have to wait two years for more Rick and Morty.