Those shouts of "D'oh!" you're hearing this morning are coming from a nation of "Simpsons" fans who must now come to terms with the fact that another movie about the Springfield's favorite yellow-skinned, four-fingered family is a long way away. How long? At least until the series, now in its 21st season, is finished.
Speaking to filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who is currently working on a 20th anniversary documentary about the series, creator Matt Groening and showrunner Al Jean at least had a good reason for not wanting to board the Hollywood train again so quickly, Variety reports. "It took 18 years to get around to doing the movie," Groening said. "We got very frustrated. We thought it would take two years but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one -- but don't hold your breath."
It should be mentioned that there's not actually an end date for the long-running TV series. Jean stated that they're signed for two additional seasons after 21, but Fox would be foolish not to renew, provided all of the key players still want to be involved. Even if the series did end in its 23rd season, that still makes a "Simpsons" movie sequel years away, a 2012/2013 release at the earliest. And that's probably an ambitious estimate.
I'm trying really hard to be bummed out about this news. After all, "The Simpsons Movie" was a legitimate Hollywood-scale take on the titular family's adventures. There are better episodes certainly, but the movie is filled with laughs and one-liners that slip in easily among the classics like "mmmm... [insert food here]" and "Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter." Definitely funny enough that I'd love to see another one.
Do you want more "Simpsons"? Would you rather see the TV series end to make way for movies or do you think there's still fresh weekly comedy to be had from America's favorite dysfunctional family?
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