Disney, Desperate For a Hit, Pushing For Another ‘Simpsons’ Movie

If every mistake is a learning opportunity, then the Walt Disney Company has had more than a billion chances to learn expensive lessons over the past year. But if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, then clearly Disney hasn’t learned anything. Audiences are telling Walt Disney Studios what they want, and Disney hasn’t given it to them. And if rumors are believed to be accurate, Disney plans to return to the same well again.

So far in 2023, only two movies have earned more than $1 billion at the box office, and Disney made neither of them. Universal’s Super Mario Bros Movie and Warner Brother’s Barbie were the only two $1 billion films this year. The lessons from those two films should be that audiences want something new from the familiar. But Disney has been content going back to sequels and live-action remakes of its classic movies, and thus far, the year has been a wash for Disney.

But a recent rumor shows that Disney is returning to the same well of taking its intellectual property and running it back again.

Another Simpsons Film?

When Disney purchased 21st Century Fox, it bought The Simpsons. It was a slightly ironic purchase, given The Simpsons long-running history of poking fun at Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney Company. But now, Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie are under the umbrella of the Mouse House and have it abide by its rules. That means there could be a sequel to The Simpsons Movie (2007). 

According to Pop Culture, writer Jeff Sneider was discussing the latest movie from James L. Brooks, Ella McKay (2023). Brooks developed The Simpsons and is the executive producer. Brooks’s latest film is financed by 20th Century Fox, and Sneider speculated that the studio only funded the film to get Brooks to put together another Simpsons movie. 

Sneider said:

The studio wants Brooks to mount a sequel to The Simpsons Movie along with creator Matt Groening and the show’s talented writing staff. This is just a hot rumor for now – the first half of a ‘We’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch ours’ deal, the likes of which have powered Hollywood for decades. But it makes sense.

The Simpsons Movie was a huge success, grossing over $500 million at the box office, but that was over 15 years ago. Audiences flocked to the movie because they grew up with the television show and had been waiting for this moment for years. But the show has continued, now in its 35th year, and has long since outlived its usefulness. It is no longer the cultural icon that it once was.

The success of a future Simpsons movie would also help Disney’s biggest rival in Central Florida. Universal Studios Florida has a Simpsons-themed land that would attract more visitors if the film succeeded. Thus, assisting Disney Studios could potentially hurt Walt Disney World.

Despite that, The Simpsons has been a hit for Disney’s streaming service, Disney Plus. And there is clearly a market for the shows, but will an audience show up for a second Simpsons movie? That remains to be seen.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.