18 years after Maggie blurted out her first phrase to her household throughout The Simpsons Film credit (“sequel?”), twentieth Century Studios is lastly making good on its promise.
The Simpsons Film 2 is at the moment scheduled for 23 July 2027, taking on a slot father or mother firm Disney beforehand put aside for yet one more entry within the MCU. I’ve usually speculated that if a sequel finally got here to cross, it will be the right solution to finish the present for good.
However that isn’t what’s occurred – earlier than this announcement, the animated sitcom was renewed for one more 4 seasons, taking it as much as season 40, which might begin airing the 12 months after this new movie releases. It additionally occurs to be the fortieth 12 months it’s been on screens general.
So, does that imply that The Simpsons will proceed endlessly? I encourage to vary. In actual fact, this announcement has made me extra assured than ever that the present is constructing in direction of its finish… and if it’s not, then it ought to. Taking a look at you, Disney.
The Simpsons Film 2 couldn’t come at a greater time
Whereas many could be questioning why Disney has waited so lengthy for one more Simpsons film, it makes a number of sense.
The present has seen a bounce again in high quality lately. Some episodes which have pleasantly shocked me, followers and critics embrace the very meta Bart’s Birthday, through which the younger prankster lastly turns 11, and the present places on a pretend ending to wrap all the pieces up (together with bringing again the strangling gag, which had been absent from the present).
Lisa the Boy Scout is an actual deal with, written as an anthology that includes all of the ‘unreleased’ clips from the present. Treehouse of Horror XXXIII has additionally acquired vast reward because of its genuinely creepy and brutal moments and strong homages to popular culture.
All three episodes share a typical theme – they reference a number of the lore and jokes from the basic ‘golden period’ of the present. They’re self-aware and reward long-time followers, and that’s precisely the kind of factor that will make The Simpsons Film sequel a roaring success.
Take a look via the feedback on Reddit in regards to the announcement – it’s chock filled with previous jokes: Lenord Nimoy claiming his work is completed earlier than teleporting away, followers lamenting that they hope the movie isn’t about sending Homer to a planet stuffed with speaking (and singing) apes, and hypothesis that the total title could also be The Simpsons Film 2: Soccer within the Groin.
The writing crew are clearly conscious of simply how expansive and powerful their again library is. In the event that they get this proper, it may very well be the right alternative to arrange for 2 remaining seasons to finish the present in a blaze of glory – with each seasons 39 and 40 on the playing cards post-release, as issues stand.
Plus, Bart prophesied the return date in detention – and everyone knows The Simpsons has a behavior of predicting the longer term. It’s destiny.
The Julie Kavner concern
It’s actually superb that just about forty years later, the 4 fundamental voice actors for the present are nonetheless round. Nevertheless, that point has taken its toll – and there’s been a number of chatter surrounding the actress for Marge, Julie Kavner.
At 75 years previous, Kavner is the oldest of the quartet – each Dan Castellaneta (Homer) and Nancy Cartwright (Bart) are 67, whereas Yeardley Smith (Lisa) is 61. Followers have observed a deterioration in her voice steadily through the years, presumably as a result of vocal pressure from producing the basic raspy tones of the matriarch of the household, plus Patty and Selma.
Whereas The Simpsons has changed some actors within the supporting forged, swapping out an unique member is one other matter totally. This group are The Simpsons. To many followers, they’re irreplaceable.
Positive, there are many voice actors that will bounce on the likelihood to take over this function, and lately, there’s even the dreaded and miserable risk that Marge’s voice may proceed by way of AI, however would the present nonetheless be supported if Disney selected this route? I doubt it.
Disney
Whereas, in fact, any of the opposite three members may additionally select to step down at any time (contracts allowing, which I’m certain are iron-clad for the upcoming movie), Kavner appears the most certainly to go. By the point season 40 airs, she’ll almost be 80 years previous – actually, supporting star Harry Shearer has already handed that mark.
They’ve all had a protracted and profitable run, and it seems like the top must be approaching. Maybe that announcement could even come throughout The Simpsons Film 2.
The Simpsons 850 principle
Reddit (but once more) proves to be an incredible supply for Simpsons aficionados, as somebody has labored out that as a result of new seasons have a diminished episode depend of 15, that will make the ultimate entry in season 40 the 850th episode of the present.
Two completely spherical numbers that sit fairly on a advertising PowerPoint… it virtually feels deliberate.
In fact, followers have a proper to be cautious. The present has gone via many milestones earlier than that they suspected could be the top, and it hasn’t occurred but.
Disney
There may be even an argument that they might attempt to push to 1,000 episodes, which might be precisely ten extra seasons… however that seems like an actual stretch, and places the present in peril of changing into stale and overtired as soon as once more. As well as, Harry Shearer would really be fairly shut in age to one in all his most well-known characters, Mr. Burns, by that time.
Nevertheless, if audiences know that the top is coming because of the publicity and a focus pushed by the film, then The Simpsons could get an actual renaissance in love – and that’s one thing that Disney will profit from.
Apart from extra subscriptions to Disney+ for the brand new entries (one thing the corporate could also be searching for after the entire Jimmy Kimmel fiasco), we may see merch gross sales go up, and extra visits to theme parks the world over. There are financial advantages to the 850 principle.
It will additionally stop the present from merely truly fizzling out and changing into unprofitable, resulting in a lacklustre cancellation. The Simpsons deserves greater than that. It’s a staple of popular culture, the spine of many jokes throughout generations, and a deliberate send-off isn’t just due however sitting ripe for the taking.
Associated articles