Peter Chernin
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter (06/14/06) - Read the article
In the months before 20th Century Fox launches its big-screen version of "The Simpsons" next year, parent company News Corp.
plans to muster every part of its entertainment empire to promote the film, president and chief operating officer
Peter Chernin said Tuesday.
In so doing, News Corp. will maximize the marketing muscle of its various divisions while allowing them to benefit
from the halo effect of the popular cartoon franchise, Chernin explained.
Chernin said News Corp. held a three-hour meeting last week with about 40 executives from across the company,
including its licensing, home video, book, satellite TV and broadcast network operations from around the world,
as well as the film's executive producer, James L. Brooks, to discuss broader strategies related to the film's release.
By looking for synergies within the company, Chernin told investors that News Corp. could win several hundred
million dollars in incremental revenue from the "Simpsons" film during the next couple of years.
It was Brooks' idea that a surprise teaser would be a better way of announcing the film than using a conventional news announcement.
Chernin said "Simpsons" offered a particularly big opportunity thanks to its status as "one of the most valuable ... content
brands in the world." "The great thing about the 'Simpsons' (film) is it is an opportunity to go both ways," he said. "We can
not only use those parts of the company to help us launch that movie, but we can use the movie to help us increase the
value of the brand" across the various News Corp. media platforms that offer "Simpsons" content.
Chernin said the entertainment titan will use what he called a "pulse campaign" to release key details about the movie
and promote it in three waves, which will happen in November, February and May TV sweep periods.
David Mirkin
The Houston Chronicle (via Cinema Confidential) (09/19/05) - Read the article
David Mirkin: "We don't have a (release)
date. It's all about the quality — the writing — which we're working on now. We are very
quality conscious, and we don't want the series to suffer because of the movie."
"We're looking at various tests to get the right look. We're taking it into the realm of
cinema but not too far from how it looks on the show."
The Simpsons movie will feature the cast of the long-running television series, as well as
the writers over its 17 year history, including creator Matt Groening, James Brooks,
Greg Daniels, Jon Vitti, Al Jean, and Mike Reiss.
Nancy Cartwright
Rove Live (talk show) (07/19/05)
Nancy Cartwright: I've heard rumors of that, too. But I'm not supposed to talk about it.
Yeah, you know, it's gonna happen, I'm pretty sure it's gonna happen. We'll just have to see.
Antonia Coffman
E! Online (06/13/05) - Read the article
Antonia Coffman: "Now we're going to get the best of both worlds, evidently. They finally
worked out a movie team, a team of the writers, because we could never hire outside writers...
and they've been working on the script. So the movie won't be at the end of the series
they'll be working simultaneously."
Coffman says that there are still many details to iron out before the feature kicks into
high gear, including who's going to do the animation Film Roman, which has done so
since the TV series' inception, or another production house.
Nancy Cartwright
BBC Radio 1 (05/24/05) - Read the article
Nancy Cartwright: You know what? We've just done the table read for the 'Simpsons'
movie so although we've been promoting that we're going to do it, now we're actually doing
it and are in production.
I'm sure it won't take any less than a couple of years.
I don't know the name of it and I can't go into details about it and we'll just have to
see how it goes, but I think it's going to be great and the fans are going to dig it.
Al Jean
Channel 4 Chat (04/01/05) - Read the transcript
JOker: Is there going to be any films of the simpsons in the cinema ?
Al Jean: We are definitely working on a script. We would hope to go into production
later this year, which would mean possibly within the next two years that the film will
come out. It's all tentative but it's definitely in the works.
Nancy Cartwright
Audiobookcafe.com (12/11/04) - Read the interview
I am sure that there will be a Simpsons movie some day... I just don't know when. They're keeping
us all in a mystery, but chances are it won't happen till we put the series "to bed" as they say...
and I don't see any end in sight. At least I hope not!
James L. Brooks
IGN FilmForce (12/10/04) - Read the article
When IGN FilmForce spoke with Brooks this weekend, he indicated that the prospect of a movie
was not out of the question. "If we feel right, then we'll go forward, and we're in the process
of trying to feel right."
"It's sixteen years, and we have gathered together the people who have been there from the beginning, and everybody who ever was a show runner on it, so we've all gathered together and we're looking at this right now."
"We'd do a film to try and tell a good story and some of the things, the fun things we can do
in a film that we can't quite do on the show... And we've always said we're willing not to do
the movie. We never feel we have to do the movie, and even here, where we're edging towards it,
the one thing that we all have to look at each other and say [is], 'Let's go!' But we're encouraged
at this moment. It could change in a minute."
We asked Brooks whether language would be the primary difference in a theatrical Simpsons.
"No. I can't talk about it, but first of all we'll try to tell a story, and we'll try to tell a
story that deserves the full-length treatment, that's for sure."
James L. Brooks
Philadelphia Daily News (12/08/04) - Read the article
Director James L. Brooks said the nine original members of the animated show's creative team,
including himself and creator Matt Groening, will reunite for the film version.
"The idea of the movie is that all of us who ran the show at one point and who have been there from the beginning come together as the writing team for this movie," Brooks told Tattle during a press junket to promote his latest film, "Spanglish."
They already have a plot, according to Brooks. But nobody's ready to talk about Homer and gang's big-screen escapades just yet.
"We're going to put some fake plots out there just to make it interesting," he joked.
Mike Reiss
The Daily Northwestern (11/10/04) - Read the article
"Will there be a 'Simpsons' movie? Of course. There was a Scooby Doo movie," Reiss said. "Will it suck? Again, there was a Scooby Doo movie. Yeah it's gonna suck pretty hard."
Al Jean
Entertainment Weekly (11/05/04) - Read the article
The show's writers are working on the long-promised feature film, with a possible 2008 release date.
They've even laid down some possible plotlines (not that they're ready to reveal any). "There are a
couple things on the show that I steered away from what might be in the movie," Jean says. "The
biggest thing is you don't want to do a movie that's not reflective of the quality of the show,
and you don't want the quality of the show to slip because you're doing the movie. So we're taking a little time." Or rather, a lot.
Matt Groening
London Times (10/17/04)
Q: Is The Simpsons movie ever going to happen?
Matt Groening: I can confirm there will be a movie. We're actually
forbidden to discuss details of the script. It will be such a long while
before it comes out that what we´re thinking about now might not actually bear
any relation to what you finally see.
Matt Groening
BBC (10/04/04) - Read the interview
Matt Groening, the man behind 'The Simpsons' has revealed he's turned down a proposal to make a feature
length episode starring real actors. He reckons fans of the show would hate the idea, but he is
pledging to make an animated Simpsons movie.
Matt Groening
Guardian/New York Post (10/04/04) - Read the article
The upcoming "Simpsons" movie will either "kill the show or completely reinvigorate it,"
the long-running animated series creator says.
While still in the earliest stages of production, a "Simpsons" movie is definitely on the way,
creator Matt Groening said in an interview with London's Guardian newspaper.
"Everyone on the show this year seems really re-energized, and we're starting to throw out
ideas for the movie and I think that will either kill the show or completely re-invigorate it,"
Groening says.
"We're trying to tell a story that we wouldn't do on television and take advantage of a
longer process and a more ambitious process for animation," he says.
Julie Thacker-Scully
Kansas City Star (09/24/04)
Q: You're currently co-writing the "Simpsons" movie, though I understand that it is a work in progress.
Now what would that be like directed by Mel Gibson?
Thacker-Scully: (laughs) I don't think there's enough violence in it. What people don't understand
about Mel is he's got a really great sense of humor, really dark — that's why we get along so well.
Q: Maybe there could be a 30-minute "Itchy and Scratchy" sequence.
Thacker-Scully: An hour!
Nancy Cartwright
BBC (07/30/04) - Read the interview
Asked if she was interested in the long-mooted Simpsons film taking off, she said "you bet".
But she added that because the series was such a time-heavy production the film would
not get underway until the series ended, which could be a while because in business-terms
it was such a "cash cow".
James L. Brooks & Chris Meledandri
Variety (02/10/04) - Read the article (subscription)
Active work on a concept for the pic began a few months ago, after 20th Century Fox's
film division hammered out deals with key writers.
When first approached about the pic late last year, reps for Groening, Brooks and
"The Simpsons" insisted there was nothing worth talking about. After one of the
scribes involved in the pic spilled the beans to a DVD Web site, Brooks broke his
silence Tuesday -- sort of.
"This is our idea of how to whip up enthusiasm for an idea that hasn't been
formed yet," Brooks said in a statement issued by 20th.
Chris Meledandri, studio's animation chief, said the studio was "very excited
about the possibility of making a 'Simpsons' movie."
"However, we are in the very early stages of developing an idea for the movie," he added.
At least seven past and present writers of "The Simpsons" are said to be involved. A
studio spokesman didn't return a call seeking comment, but industry insiders believe
Al Jean, Mike Scully, Mike Reiss, David Mirkin and George Meyer are all on board,
in addition to Brooks and Groening.
Reiss is certainly involved: He's the scribe who talked about the project.
There's no timetable yet as to a release date on the project, though with Groening's
quality control and animation lead time, it's likely at least two years off.
Mike Reiss
DVDFanatic.com (02/10/04) - Read the interview
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) - Read the article
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) - Read the interview
He revealed that the oft-discussed movie is in development and that he is working on the script.
Al Jean
IGN (08/29/03) - Read the interview
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) - Read the interview
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) - Read the interview
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 Rüdiger Grammes]
Original: Wir spechen mit 20th Century Fox auch über einen Kinofilm. Die wollen unbedingt einen haben, weil sie damit
viel Geld machen können. Das ist für mich aber kein Argument. Es gibt zurzeit einfach keinen künstlerischen Grund, "Die Simpsons"
auf die Leinwand zu bringen.
Harry Shearer
Ain't It Cool News (11/12/02) - Read the interview
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) - Read the article
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) - Read the article
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) - Read the article
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) - Read the summary
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) - Read the editorial
"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) - Read the full interview
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) - Read the full article
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) - Read the full interview
Matt Groening: "There's talk of a 'Simpsons' spin-off and a 'Simpsons' movie, too."
David Mirkin
IGN FilmForce (03/30/01) - Read the full interview
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) - Read the full interview
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) - Read the full article
"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) - Read the full interview
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) - Read the full article
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) - Read the full interview
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) -
Read the full article
"...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) -
Read the full article
When asked about a Simpsons movie, Matt Groening said "Yeah, I'll do it.."
Matt Groening
The Age (07/18/00) -
Read the full interview
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)
Read the full transcript
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) -
Read the full interview
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) -
Read the full transcript
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) -
Read the full article
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) -
Read the full article
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)
Read the full transcript
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)
Read the full transcript
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) -
Read the full interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the transcript
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) -
Listen to the full interview (Real Audio)
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the interview
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) -
Read the transcript
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.
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