Jeff Sneider recently launched a movie newsletter that’s worth your time — you can subscribe here. On Friday evening, Sneider had a rumor that is definitely worth reporting on …
Why did 20th Century greenlight James L. Brooks’ “Ella McCay”? Brooks is no longer a box-office draw, his last film, 2010’s “How Do You Know,” flopped and the lead of this next film (Emma Mackey) isn’t really a star.
Sneider might have the answer. After speaking to a studio insider, he’s being told that 20th Century may have had an ulterior motive in greenlighting the film: they want Brooks to make a sequel to 2007’s “The Simpsons Movie.”
Supposedly, 20th Century wants Brooks to kickstart the sequel with ‘Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening and the show’s talented writing staff. Basically, a ‘we’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch ours’ kind of deal, and I’m all here for it.
Released in 2007, “The Simpsons Movie” grossed $536 million worldwide and garnered great reviews. Brooks and Groening have hesitated in making a sequel all these years later, but it might finally be happening.
“The Simpsons,” as it happened, was a textbook perfect example of postmodern entertainment. A pastiche of pop culture sources and meta-commentary — riotously funny satire on the American family. It was one of the best shows of the ‘90s.
Of course, we all know “The Simpsons” has severely overstayed its welcome on television, a 35th season began just last month on Fox. However, seasons 1-8 is what makes it so iconic — deemed to be the classic era, an all-timer run that not many other shows have matched in terms of comedy, satire and storytelling.
“The Simpson Movie” reunited many of the ex-writers from that classic run of seasons, that’s why the movie worked so well.
Cory Finley, a talented filmmaker, has directed three films so far: "Thoroughbreds" (2017), "Bad Education” (2020), and "Landscape with Invisible Hand.”