Disney Plans Sequel To Banned Classic Film

In the midst of bans, The Walt Disney Company is making a bold decision.

Initially, the company gained prominence for its animated characters and films, such as Mickey Mouse and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), pioneering the animation industry. Over the years, Disney expanded its reach into various entertainment sectors, including theme parks (Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort), television networks (ABC, ESPN), and a vast array of merchandise. The acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 added another dimension to Disney’s animated storytelling, further solidifying its dominance in family entertainment.

Beyond animation, Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment brought iconic superheroes like Iron Man, Thor, and the Avengers into its portfolio. This move propelled Disney’s presence in the blockbuster film industry, culminating in the record-breaking success of Avengers: Endgame (2019). Subsequent acquisitions, such as Lucasfilm, enhanced Disney’s portfolio with the legendary Star Wars franchise, allowing the company to tap into the vast fanbase of a galaxy far, far away.

One of the most significant developments in Disney’s corporate history occurred in 2019 with the acquisition of 21st Century Fox. The deal, valued at over $70 billion, brought together two entertainment giants, merging Disney’s extensive content production capabilities with Fox’s rich library. The integration of 20th Century Fox (now called 20th Century Studios) assets into Disney’s portfolio marked a strategic move to compete in the evolving landscape of streaming services. With the launch of Disney+ in November 2019, the company leveraged its expanded content library to compete with other streaming giants. The acquisition not only bolstered Disney’s content offering but also positioned the company as a major player in the growing streaming wars.

The acquisition of 20th Century included franchises like Avatar, X-Men, Planet of the Apes, and many others, but perhaps the most popular of these is The Simpsons.

The Simpsons, an iconic animated television series created by Matt Groening, has not been immune to controversy and bans over its long and satirical run. The show, known for its irreverent humor and social commentary, has faced criticism and restrictions in various parts of the world.

One notable instance occurred in 1992 when the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, temporarily banned The Simpsons during daytime hours. Authorities expressed concerns that the show’s content was unsuitable for children, citing its irreverent take on family dynamics and societal issues. The ban was eventually lifted, but it highlighted the debates surrounding the appropriateness of the show’s content.

In 2008, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar reportedly banned The Simpsons Movie not for its content but for a peculiar reason—excessive use of red and yellow colors. The government argued that these colors were associated with rebel groups, and the ban aimed to prevent any potential misinterpretation or association with political movements. This unusual ban showcased how even seemingly innocuous elements of a cartoon could be perceived through a political lens in certain contexts.

Just recently, reports came forward that The Simpsons would no longer do the iconic “strangling Bart” gag that has been a part of the show– and was incorporated into the movie– in any future projects. However, executive producers put this to bed with a drawing of Homer Simpsons and a quote from him which read, “Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart.”

Even in the midst of controversy and bans that have been a part of The Simpsons for decades, The Walt Disney Company is reportedly making plans to make a sequel to The Simpsons Movie (2007). Reports from ComicBook share:

“20th Century Fox is rumored to be financing James L. Brooks’ new film, Ella McKay, (who will be starring Emma Mackey as a young politician juggling life while preparing to take over as Governor) as a way to help potentially convince Brooks to work on a new The Simpsons Movie. It’s only the first step in a larger production process even if Brooks agrees, but it is something that has had interest at least from the creative side of things for quite a while.”

While there isn’t an official timeline for the project, it certainly would be interesting to see The Simpsons back on the big screen for another major film. The first movie brought in an impressive $536.4 million at the box office.

What do you think of Disney moving forward with this project? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!