------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIMPSONS MOVIE RUMORSMaintained by Jouni Paakkinen
Also available at http://www.snpp.com/news/movie.html
(with several links to full source documents)
------------------------------------------------------------------------If you have ever browsed through alt.tv.simpsons or been subscribed to the Simpsons-L mailing list, you must have come across rumors of making a full-length Simpsons feature film. You may have heard stories about the Simpsons movie being listed on a mysterious DTS disc, or how James Cameron's digital graphics team was supposedly producing a movie to be released by the Christmas 1999 or summer 2000, depending on the source. Someone may even have pointed out to you that the domain www.simpsonsmovie.com has been reserved by Fox.
Don't believe the hype. The Cameron rumor died out in lack of further evidence, nobody knows what exactly that alleged DTS disc contained, and simpsonsmovie.com is just one of over 200 domains reserved by the Fox corporation. The British tabloids have misinterpreted words of Matt Groening and David Mirkin. And so on.
So far, there is no official information backing up the theory that a full-length Simpsons movie will be in theatres any time soon. However, judging from the following excerpts, it is very likely that a movie will be made eventually, and it's said that a script is being pitched. Variety revealed in May 2001 that the deal with the voice cast for seasons 13-15 included options on two feature films. The producers have repeatedly stressed that the movie cannot be made before the end of the series, but recently Mike Reiss revealed that it might be out already in 2006.
This document lists quotes (including article excerpts) from various staff and cast members regarding the possibility of a Simpsons movie. The quotes are in a reversed chronological order. Read what they have said and then judge for yourself: Will there be a Simpsons movie, and if, when?
Additions are welcomed. Please include the direct quote, the source and the date and send it to [email] . If the interview is online somewhere, also include the URL. Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Reiss DVD Fanatic (02/10/04)
DVDFanatic.com: How involved with "The Simpsons" are you nowadays? Have you started working on "The Simpsons" movie yet?
Mike: My partner, Al Jean is running the show. He�s the boss and I just come in a day a week as a consultant. I come in every Tuesday and just help and put in my two cents. Al and I and five other veteran writers of the show are currently writing "The Simpsons" movie.
DVDFanatic.com: What can you tell us about the movie? We've heard that there was supposed to be a "Simpsons" movie for the past several years but you don't want to just simply put three episodes together, so how are you creating something new that's not been done before?
Mike: That's been the biggest challenge. They've wanted to do this since season two. It's been 13 years of wanting to do "The Simpsons" Movie. Finally FOX said, "Let's just do it!" We never had the greatest idea that was compelling but FOX said, "Maybe if we start paying you, you'll get inspired." And sure enough it worked! We've got a very good and interesting idea and it's different from the show. You know, it's like the "South Park" movie where it's just a bigger, longer, amplified version of the show. I can't tell you anything specific about it. My wife doesn't even know the secret.
DVDFanatic.com: When do you think "The Simpsons" movie will come out?
Mike: I will say two years from this summer. I think it�s going to be Summer 2006 or maybe Christmas 2006. It's a reality after being just sort of this phantom idea. I think it is really gonna happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Reiss The Crimson White (01/30/04)
Reiss said a Simpsons movie would appear in the near future, since the Scooby-Doo cartoons were also turned into a movie. He added that the movie will likely be live action, like the Scooby-Doo movie, but he joked that a Simpsons live-action movie might be just as bad as the Scooby-Doo movie.
Reiss must have put some thought in his speech because he came up with some perfect actors (perhaps too perfect?) to portray some of the Simpsons characters: William H. Macy as Ned Flanders, Vin Diesel as Homer (since Diesel is also fat and stupid, Reiss said), Don King as Marge (because of the hair, obviously) and Tom Cruise as Smithers (because ... well, you figure it out).
Expect a Simpsons movie in summer or Christmas of 2006, Reiss said, while fans gathered for questions, comments and autographs after the show. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Reiss The Michigan Daily (10/29/03)
He revealed that the oft-discussed movie is in development and that he is working on the script. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean IGN (08/29/03)
IGN DVD: For people unfamiliar, tell us about the movie you are working on.
Al Jean: There's no script yet. We're just beginning to talk about a story, that's about it. The actors have signed to do three movies, but certainly it won't come out this year or next, it will be a while.
IGN DVD: Theatrical?
Al Jean: It will be theatrical, yeah.
IGN DVD: Does that mean the content will be juiced up, shall we say?
Al Jean: Well, we want to make it something worth going to the movies for. The trick with a TV show is always why would people pay for something they can see for free, and so we will try and make it worth it. [...] We finally had the time to do these [DVD] commentaries. Some of the cast appear on these, too, and there's a lot of different aspects to the Simpson world and to me, the prime time show is the most important. It's also the reason why the movie has taken so long, and it will be a while yet before a film comes out. We just don't want to give the show a short shrift. And that's another reason the show has lasted so long. We're not trying to do everything and burn it out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean The Man Room (08/27/03)
Al Jean: We might do feature films, but I would say they should just do the series as long as they want and then do features if they choose to.
The Man Room: Features? As in the big screen?
Al Jean: Yeah, there's a deal in place, but it's years away from completion. We're just concentrating now on keeping the show as good as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Reiss The Triangle (05/30/03)
Will there be a Simpsons movie? "Yes, there was a Scooby Doo movie so there will be a Simpsons movie," Reiss stated. "Will it suck? Yes, there was a Scooby Doo movie, ... It's gonna suck pretty hard."
Reiss said that he considered casting a live-action Simpsons movie, but it would require someone "bald and as stupid as Homer. That's why God gave us Vin Diesel." Reiss proposed that Don King play Marge, and Tom Cruise play Smithers, Mr. Burns' homosexual assistant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean & Matt Groening The Museum of Television & Radio Satellite Seminar (02/12/03)
Caller, University of Maryland: I want to know if there will ever be a Simpsons movie, a full feature two-hour movie?
Al Jean: The cast, I believe, is signed to do one if we have a script. I know every writer and Jim [Brooks] in particular doesn't wanna do it unless we have a good script.
Matt Groening: I do, though. [jokingly]
Matt Groening: We wanna do a good movie, and it's very tough when you have a show that's on the air, which has... Every episode is like a movie. I mean, we have a lot of storylines instead of a lot of jokes. Some really good ones, some not so good obviously. [...] So if we come up with a good movie idea... [...] Yeah, we'll do a good movie, we wanna do it. I couldn't think of a good movie that came out of a TV show but Harry [Shearer] pointed our the South Park movie, so there is an exception. We don't want to do a Scooby Doo, that's bascially what we're talking about. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening The Hollywood Reporter (02/11/03)
Ray Richmond: What about the long-discussed "Simpsons" movie? Where does that stand?
Matt Groening: We've had coffee and lunch a few times discussing it; it's going to be the next thing. What we want to do is make sure that we produce a really great first movie. If we do, then I can see doing a bunch of them. Generally, movies based on TV shows are horrible. The one exception to the rule was (1999's "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut"). If we could do something as audacious and fun as what the "South Park" guys did, we'd be quite thrilled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening The San Diego Union-Tribune (02/05/03)
When tired of making executive decisions on "Simpsons" video games or tired of meetings on a future "Simpsons" feature film, Groening goes home to work on his weekly "Life In Hell" cartoon strip, organizing his book-publishing empire and parenting his scuba-diving sons, Homer, 13, and Abe, 11. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening TV Spielfilm (Germany) (#4, February 2003)
Matt Groening: We're also talking with 20th Century Fox about a movie. They really want one, because they can make a lot of money with it. But that's not an argument for me. Right now there's just no artistic reason to bring the Simpsons to the cinema. [Translated from German by R�diger Grammes] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harry Shearer Ain't It Cool News (11/12/02)
And he's happy to say that a deal has been made, "in a manner of speaking," with cast members about a feature film version of "The Simpsons."
"I heard rumors that they are finalizing the writing side, deal-wise," he says. "But that is just a rumor. We still don't even know if we're doing another season. Fox likes to keep these things very close to their vests." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean Ain't It Cool News (09/26/02)
Is there ever going to be a Simpsons movie?
His answer.....? YES!
In fact, more than yes. He went so far as to tell us that all the principle cast has recently signed for a three picture deal. The murmurs spread through the room. People liked that.
But, (Yes, you knew there was going to be a BUT) he doesn't know when.
Currently there are no plans to end the fourteen year run of the show and the writing staff is having enough trouble coming up with plotlines to fill 22 minutes of TV show, let alone 80-90 minutes of feature film. It was encouraging to hear him then say however that the six-man team of writers (including himself) hired for the task of the script want it to be something of quality. They absolutely do not want to do it simply for the cash or to rip us (the fans) off.
They want to do it when the time is right. But, fear not people, a Simpsons movie is on the way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dan Castellaneta Northern Now (Summer 2002)
"Even if the show goes off the air," Castellaneta says, "there probably will be movies." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dan Castellaneta, Matt Groening & Al Jean The Canadian Press (07/18/02)
Castellaneta added: "Even if the show went off the air, I think the characters would go on in perpetuity, there'd be specials, movies, spin-off shows."
Groening said he is a big fan of some of the new animated movies that have come out and said that one day the Simpsons could follow predecessors like the Flintstones, Scooby Doo and the Jetsons to the big screen.
But a big-screen project would only happen if it did justice to the characters, say Simpsons creators.
"We don't want to rush it out just to capitalize on the show," Jean said. "It wouldn't be good for anybody." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening The Financial Times (04/29/02)
For several years, there has been talk of a Simpsons film. Many fans think the programme could make the leap to the big screen, just as South Park did.
As far as Groening is concerned, however, it is not clear whether Fox wants it or not. Creating a 30-minute programme is very different from making a 90-minute film, and he is wary that a poor movie could affect the television show. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening BBC (04/05/02)
Richard Greenaway: Do you think a movie would replace the episodes on television? Would you like to see some sort of climactic, Hitchcockian finale to the Simpsons, or do you think it will just continue going on and on?
Matt Groening: I imagine at some point we will give up on doing the episodes, but right now there is no end in sight. I would just hate to see us start to do movies based on the show and have that kill the show. If there is a way of doing both I think that would be good. Or if the show finally runs out of steam and then we go into the movie business that would be good too, but I don't want a movie to kill the show.
I think that everybody who works on the show has similar feelings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean Relix (February-March 2002)
Relix Magazine: What's the status of the feature film? I know a lot of people are excited about the possibility of one.
Al Jean: Part of the new contract was that they agreed to do a movie--or three movies--but we're just at the planning stages. We don't want to do a movie unless the script is really good. So, when we have the script, we'll do the movie. I think personally it might be best if we waited until the show was done, like Star Trek. You know, as long as there's money to be made, I'm sure we'll do it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Cinescape (02/15/02)
"I've got lots of ideas, all of which seem like they might be more appropriate for the TV show," Groening told us. "It's very hard to come up with stories that justify a big-screen treatment - but we're thinking about it." When asked if fans would have to wait until the show ended before being treated to the film, he replied, "No. We'll get to it and everyone will be especially tired that year." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harry Shearer Moviehole.net (10/31/01)
We got talking about the rumoured film version of the show, in which he tells me "Yes" it will happen. But he doesn't see it happening yet. "I doubt it will happen until after the show goes off the air". Shearer says he loves doing Mr Burns, so a movie is never out of the question. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nancy Cartwright Lecture @ Ohio University (10/27/01)
Clint Haller: After the potential 15th season, she confirmed that they have signed contracts to do three full-length feature films. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean Total Movie (#5, October/November 2001)
Also written into the most recent contracts were options for up to three Simpsons feature films, a tantalizing prospect that has continued to pop up in discussions about the show's future for years. Should the right idea materialize, Homer and his brood could easily make the leap to the big screen. Until then, their reign on the small screen seems far from over, which at this point is perhaps the only aspect of the Simpsons that continues to surprise Jean. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean IGN FilmForce (09/19/01)
IGNFF: As far as the potential for theatrical films - you'd like that to happen as well?
Al Jean: This is just me - this is not the official policy of the show - it may be smart to do the series, then wait a couple of years, like Star Trek, and then have a movie come out. I think the anticipation would be tremendous. But, if we had a great script, we'd be shooting it tomorrow - but we're already producing 444 minutes a year, so we're not.
IGNFF: Is anyone concentrating on writing the theatrical script at this moment?
Al Jean: We've talked about it very, very tentatively... It's very premature to say almost anything - that's the way I would put it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Jean Cinescape (08/13/01)
Al Jean: "There's more information than there had been [about a movie]."
"When the actors re-signed earlier this year the contracts called for them to do three movies. The price is fixed as to what they'll get paid, but we don't have a script. We obviously want it to be a really good script, so it involves us getting enough time to develop something that we really want to do. It's so much in the planning stages [at this point]."
"This is just my opinion, but it might be good to wait, like Star Trek, until after the show is done. I think it's going to happen but I could not tell you when." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening My Generation (May-June 2001)
Matt Groening: "There's talk of a 'Simpsons' spin-off and a 'Simpsons' movie, too." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David Mirkin IGN FilmForce (03/30/01)
IGNFF: Is there anything happening with a Simpsons feature film?
David Mirkin: Because we're all writing [the series] now and because The Simpsons is six months of the year where we're working on two seasons at once, we never have a down time. It takes a year and a half to do one year of the show. Once the show has run its course, I think a movie will come because there's money to be made.
Any time there is dime, you can depend on Fox. I'm sure it'll happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David Mirkin Cinescape Online (03/20/01)
...series big shot David Mirkin revealed that should the series go to the big screen, he'd like to see Bart Simpson lose his virginity in the film, adding, "I see lots of Simpson sex."
More seriously, though, Mirken talks about when a film version of the popular series might actually happen, saying, "There is money to be made with a movie, but we're waiting for the show to end for the movie to happen." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nancy Cartwright Daily Trojan (02/27/01)
For one, Cartwright said a feature film of "The Simpsons" will "most definitely" happen, but not until the show goes off the air. "We don't have the manpower right now for this large of a project," she said. "But when it happens, I expect there to be lots of celebrity guest stars and surprises." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Reiss Lecture @ University of Wyoming (02/19/01)
Jonathan Rhoades: According to Reiss, there is a movie deal to make a simpsons movie. However, the deal states that the script has to be written by Matt Groening, so a movie isn't likely in the near future. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nancy Cartwright The Nancy News (Vol. 5 No. 2, November 2000)
"...with eleven seasons under our belt, The Simpsons is kicking off season #12 on November 5th! It looks like there just may be more in store AND a feature film in the not-too-distant future!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully USA Today (11/03/00)
"The future may hold a theatrical movie, but that's not likely until after the pop-culture icon finishes its prime-time run. With solid ratings and strong merchandise sales, that may not happen for a while. Acting and studio deals remain to be worked out, but Scully expects at least one more season after this one." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Newsweek (10/27/00)
Ana Figueroa: Will there be feature-length "Simpsons" movies any time in the future?
Matt Groening: I think we want to start doing movies now, but also keep the show alive. We've got to figure out what we can do that would justify going into the theater. We probably could put out just about anything and some people would come. But we want to honor the fans. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ George Meyer MSNBC (10/02/00)
George Meyer: We should not do a movie until after the series, maybe a few years after the series. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening BBC Online (August 2000)
BBC: Will you do a feature film?
Matt Groening: The business answer is "no deals have been struck"! The creative answer is only if we can figure out how to do something that is not redundant, not the same as the TV show. Every TV episode is a mini-feature. But in the long run, I have no doubt we'll do a movie eventually. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Simpsons Mania Tour, London (08/17/00)
Matt Groening: No,no,no,no,no or at least not until we get cancelled and I am sure no one wants that... next question. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Daily Express (08/17/00)
Matt Groening: It's a little daunting coming up with a half-hour TV episode, let alone a full-length feature. ... No deals have been struck, but we will do one. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Observer (08/06/00)
"...Groening leaves the daily reins of his flagship show to Scully, busying himself with grander projects, such as a forthcoming Simpsons feature film." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening San Diego ComicCon (07/24/00)
When asked about a Simpsons movie, Matt Groening said "Yeah, I'll do it.." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening The Age (07/18/00)
Matt Groening: I think what could eventually kill it [The Simpsons] is that it will get too expensive to be produced, but maybe we'll do movies - we've been talking about that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein The Simpsons Sourcebook Chat (07/14/00)
billjosh: We actually have a top secret idea for a Simpsons film, but they have to ask us to do it first. But the Simpsons film may be a great mythological thing that is always talked about and never done. It requires a lot of time!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harry Shearer IGN FilmForce (04/19/00)
Kenneth Plume: Has there been any scuttlebutt about a feature film?
Harry Shearer: No.
Kenneth Plume: Would you be adverse to that?
Harry Shearer: No. Nobody's ever asked us. The process would basically be a lot of wrangling at the top end of the pyramid that we'd hear about before we saw any signs of the script. I don't know if there's actually reasoning about it. At some point in time one would have thought it was, "Well, we don't want to cannibalize the television audience." Certainly South Park has proven you can put out a feature and not hurt your TV ratings. So I have no idea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully AT&T Chat (03/08/00)
smeagol88: Any plans for a Simpsons movie???
Mike Scully: We talk about it from time to time, but we have not even taken step 1. The show takes up too much time right now to get involved in a movie. I don't think we'll do it until after the show goes off the air. We want to do it right. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening New York Post (02/17/00)
Show creator Matt Groening, at least, can hardly wait. He told The Post he's already mulling over film plots.
"I've got an idea for a movie," he said, during a recent interview.
"We've been talking about it, given the amount of attention the show has received and will receive in the coming year," said Groening, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Antonia Coffman New York Post (02/17/00)
Fox sources say they'd love to do a "Simpsons" movie, but there's one thing missing: a plot.
"Nobody has come up with an idea to sustain two hours, and we're not just cashing in on the financial success," said "Simpsons" executive consultant Antonia Coffman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully New York Daily News (02/15/00)
"The sitcom's producers say they're ready to make the jump to the big screen. That's what the show's exec producer, Mike Scully, told Steve Martin, Martin Short, Bill Maher, Janeane Garofalo and Barry Levinson and the rest of the crowd gathered to watch the first-ever live performance of the show starring Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival on Thursday night in Aspen." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alf Clausen The Simpsons Sourcebook Chat (02/06/00)
johnfiedler: Haha -- here`s a classic question that would be asked by an alt.tv.simpson-er: Have you, perchance, been asked to write the score for a Simpsons movie -- or do you know of any plans by Fox to do so?
alfclausen: LOL! I have not been asked, and I know of no plans for a Simpsons movie at the present time. More news at 11?... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein The Simpsons Sourcebook Chat (10/15/99)
tss_john: temetamara: Will there be a Simpsons movie that you will participate in?
GUEST_BILLandJOSH: Who knows? We haven't been approached about it. But there could be a movie someday. However everyone who could do it (for the most part) is too busy working on the show. Right now, there is absolutely no movie in the works. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harry Shearer E-mail message (09/10/99)
Harry Shearer: "You can quote me to the effect that no one at Fox or Gracie Films has mentioned this project to me." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Starburst (#253, September 1999)
Matt Groening: It's really hard to do more than one show. That's why there hasn't been a Simpsons movie, because we're working so hard on making shows as good as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Oakley San Diego ComicCon (08/14/99)
Bill: I saw that IMDB posting about it, it's erroneous. I'm also familiar with the story posted at alt.tv.simpsons of the mysterious film canisters, that's a hoax. The reasons there will be no movie: Way too busy doing the tv show, though there are enough people around that used to work on the show that can do it. It would take too long to animate a movie, and anyway, ninety minutes of Simpsons might be more than a audience can handle. Simpson scenes aren't very long, a whole movies worth of this might be more than a audience can sit through, I don't think that most people can handle almost two hours of animation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Wizard Magazine (#96, August 1999)
"Simpsons creator Matt Groening has admitted both he and Fox are interested in a feature film on America's favorite dysfunctional family, but no further progress has been made." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Collecting Simpsons! (07/22/99)
Question: Mike [Scully] and Matt ... Mike Judge and Greg Daniels -- couple sessions ago -- said that the success of "South Park" led them to rethink doing a "King of the Hill" movie. And one of the things that Mike said was he can't imagine why you haven't done a "Simpsons" movie to this point. What are your thoughts on that?
Groening: You know, in part it's because we're working so hard on "The Simpsons," there's not a lot of hours left over in the day to do a movie. And we really do care -- I can speak for Mike on this -- everybody who works on the show cares about it so much that we don't want to let the show itself slip, and there's not a lot of extra troops out there to make the show really good and also do a movie. I'm sure there will be a movie one of these days. We just haven't figured out a way of doing it yet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully Daily TV (05/20/99)
John Newlin: "Matt" wants to know if you have any plans to do a Simpsons movie.
Mike Scully: I think it'll probably happen eventually. It comes up every once in a while. It's hard for us to do it right now because of the demands of doing the show. We don't wanna just slap it together just because we know people will come, we want to make sure it's done with the same quality standard as the show. We don't want people feeling ripped off. Neither do we want to taint the memory of the series, so some day it will probably happen, but probably after the series goes off the air. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Fox Chat (04/06/99)
MattWood: Is there going to be a "Simpsons" feature film?
Matt Groening: We have had some early, maybe, kinda, sorta, preliminary discussions of doing a "Simpsons" movie.
Matt Groening: I imagine there would be a "Simpsons" movie one of these years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Fresh Air (03/19/99)
Matt Groening: I'd love to do it. I'd love to do a movie, but it ain't gonna happen. There's too much money grubbing involved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Mother Jones (March-April 1999)
Matt Groening: We're talking now about doing a "Simpsons" movie; if deals can be made, then maybe we'll do a movie. I've got a few ideas for what to do. I said, see if you can make the deals first, then I'll bother to pursue it. I don't know if we'll tie it into the show. We might tie it in to the end of the series. Every year, I think we've got two more years, then we win another Emmy, and I think we've got another year to coast before they cancel us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully Ultimate TV (01/24/99)
UltimateTV: Is there a full-length "Simpsons" film on the horizon?
Mike Scully: I would love it. There are a lot of financial particulars to be worked out among a lot of parties that I'm not part of. But outside of financial, one of the reasons we haven't done one yet is we don't want to just slap it together and throw it out there because we know the audience will come. We really want it to be good and to maintain the series' high quality standards. We wouldn't want a bad movie to taint the memory of the series; we don't want people to feel ripped off. And while we're doing the show, it would be very hard to find the time to do the movie. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yeardley Smith Lycos Chat (11/17/98)
Homerjmg: I've heard rumors of a Simpsons movie in year 2000....is this rumor true...and if so, is Mr. Burns gonna die like I've heard?
Yeardley Smith: Oh boy, you've heard a lot more than I have! I've been hearing rumors of a movie forever but I haven't heard anything quite so specific. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David Silverman 3RRR Radio, Melbourne (08/19/98)
James Young: In relation to The Simpsons; I'm just surprised they haven't done a movie or something, given that's something people tend to do.
David Silverman: I'm often asked that. In the past the reason why we hadn't done the movie... Fox wanted a movie I think within the third season. The difficulty is, who would do it? I mean, when the entire episode, when one season takes 18 months, and people are having hiatus at different points in the schedule; it's hard to set aside time to do the movie or find people to do the film; because we didn't really have the people to do it, per se. Since then, possibly you could do a film, because enough people have left the show that they could form a troupe and...even I could direct it, now that I'm not involved with the show directly. But that was one of the difficulties of having a motion picture made. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully Cult TV (January 1998)
Cult TV: Along with the standard spin-off merchandise tat, there's also the as-yet-unanswered issue of The Simpsons movie...
Mike Scully:"It gets talked about a lot," Scully says candidly."We simply haven't come up with the right way to do it, and we certainly don't want to just slap it together, and throw it out there, because we know it will probably be very successful and so, if we do it, we have to make sure that it's really, really good. If we did a bad job, it would taint people's memories of the TV show."
"It would have to be animated. I don't see how we could ever do a live-action movie as funny as the animated series. The animation allows so many creative liberties that you just wouldn't be able to acheive with live-action. I think it would be impossible for a set of actors to portray these characters. The audience likes to see them the way they are, and if you tried to turn, say, John Goodman into Homer, then it ultimately has to be disappointing to everyone, including John Goodman. Obviously, he could never live up to Homer." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Scully Mania Magazine (11/14/97)
Scully does see a Simpsons film as a real possibility "somewhere down the line. We want to make sure we do it right. We don't want to take people's money. If you do a bad job on the movie, we'll taint the memory of the series. It's also a matter of money. It would be far more expensive to do than the weekly show, in terms of the quality of the animation. But I'd love to see it. If we find the right idea, I think we'll do it." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fox's Official Fan Reply Letter Fox (Fall 1997)
Question: Will there be a "Simpsons" movie?
Answer: There is no time to focus on a movie because everyone works so hard on the series. But we hope to make one...one of these days! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Loaded Magazine (August 1996)
Loaded: What about making a full length feature film?
Matt Groening: Yeah, someday, but anything involving signing a new contract with The Simpsons means that people involved with producing the show come out of nowhere and it's hard to read the contracts after the aliva is wiped off because everyone's drooling for the immense amount of money they think they're entitled to. I imagine it's highly unlikely we'll ever do one. It's a shame because there should have been two or three movies by now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein Collecting Simpsons!/Syracuse newspapers (1996)
Q: Let me ask you about that. Has there been any talk of doing a movie?
Bill Oakley: It's a topic to the extent you've heard it. We always hear occasional talk. People always ask us, "When is there going to be a Simpsons movie?" We would love to do it, I just don't know when.
Josh Weinstein: There is definitely an agreement among parties that it would be good to do a Simpsons movie. I believe, the second that one of our Simpsons writers sat down and wrote one, I wouldn't be surprised if they made it. It's just that everyone who is a good writer for the Simpsons is busy working 16 hours a day right now writing the episodes. So maybe either after we're cancelled or after more people have sort of become alumni of the show, there'll be time to consider that.
Q: Could they ever do a live-action Simpsons movie?
Bill Oakley: It's certainly possible. But it might be kind of a disappointment, like "The Flintstones" movie. I think everyone was hoping, wow, it's going to be so exciting to see Fred in real life, and then it wasn't. So it might be better to keep it in animated form.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Flux (09/30/95)
Flux: One final question: Has there ever been serious consideration given to a Simpsons movie?
Matt Groening: There has been, but I doubt it will happen. I would love it. I'm ready to do it any time but no one can agree on how to divide up the obscene profits so there won't be any profits. [laughs] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ David Mirkin CJAD (09/08/95)
CJAD: We're going through a period right now where a lot of stuff taken from television is finding its way on the large screen. Do you ever foresee a Simpsons movie, either animated or live action? They did it with The Flintstones.
David Mirkin: They did it with The Flintstones. Well, there's always a lot of pressure on us to do a Simpsons feature. That pressure is constant. It's the same problem with the talent pool. We're all busy. There are very few people who can write The Simpsons. That can animate The Simpsons. We're all busy doing the show. So I don't think you are going to necessarily see a movie until the show is done it's production and some people are freed up to do it, that could actually do a good job, because we are very quality conscious. You know, we're trying to do very high quality work in everything that's associated with the show. That's all part of what Jim Brooks cares about. I care about. It's important to us. But the one think I can guarantee, is that eventually there will be a Simpsons movie. And there will be a Simpsons Broadway play. And there will be Simpsons Ice Capades shows because I can guarantee that 20th Century Fox will wring every dime out of the franchise sooner or later. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Simpsons Illustrated (Summer 1993)
Simpsons Illustrated: What's coming up?
Matt Groening: Simpsons Comics & Stories was a smash, so Steve and Cindy Vance, Bill Morrison, and I are scheming to figure out how to do comic books on a regular schedule. Any interest out there for a Radioactive Man comic book? The next Life in Hell book will be Binky's Guide to Love, a sequel to Love Is Hell, and someday I'd like to animate the rabbits and Akbar & Jeff for TV. A book called Bart's Guide to Life will also be coming out next fall, and maybe someday we'll do a Simpsons movie. Any more questions? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matt Groening Prodigy Q&A (June 1993)
Gregory Stern: Will there be a Simpsons movie one day? Matt Groening: Maybe. But right now, we're just trying to get through next season's scripts. The movie is way down the line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTORS:
Solon Boomer-Jenks Alan Denton Wayne Elgin Greg Galon Bruce Gomes, Sr. R�diger Grammes Dave Hall Clint Haller Rowdy Harmon Dean Humphries Brendan Keane Jukka Keskiaho Jake Lennington Brandon McKee Diana Morris Rebecca Openshaw Jonathan Rhoades William Stilwell Dave Sweatt Chris Tarpey Brian Tees Sean Walsh Eric Wirtanen ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last updated 10 February 2004