Full Breakdown
Grinch Sequel Moves Toward Production
6/19/2026, 12:39:17 AM
Core Development Details
Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are developing an untitled live-action sequel to the 2000 film *How the Grinch Stole Christmas*. Jim Carrey is in talks to reprise the Grinch, while Ron Howard will direct and co-produce with Brian Grazer. The script is being written by Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel, who also penned the 2003 *The Cat in the Hat* adaptation.
Legacy of the 2000 Film
The original opened on Nov. 18, 2000 in over 3,200 theaters, topped the U.S. box office for four weeks and earned $260 million domestically and $345 million worldwide, making it the year’s top-grossing domestic release. It won the Oscar for Best Makeup. Nielsen data show the film ranked No. 2 among streamed movies in Dec. 2024, with 962 million minutes viewed, and it has repeatedly placed in the top-10 holiday-movie streaming charts.
Team, Oversight, and Issues
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, headed by CEO Susan Brandt, will supervise the sequel. Universal’s production is overseen by senior VP Britt Hennemuth and creative executive Christina Hoffrogge. Carrey is represented by WME (attorney Deborah Klein); Howard and Grazer by CAA; Berg and Schaffer by UTA; Mandel by WME; and Imagine Entertainment by CAA. The original film’s makeup required up to eight hours daily, a process Carrey described as “extremely excruciating” and likened to “being buried alive.” His publicist later told *People* that “there is no truth to Jim reprising his role,” creating uncertainty about his involvement.
Direct Quotes
- “The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process. The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids.’” — Jim Carrey, ComicBook.com interview, 2024.
- “And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.” — Jim Carrey, same interview.
- “There is no truth to Jim reprising his role as the Grinch in a sequel to *The Grinch*.” — Jim Carrey’s publicist, *People* interview, 2024.
- “We are excited to bring this beloved story back to audiences, with Susan Brandt overseeing the project at Dr. Seuss Enterprises.” — Dr. Seuss Enterprises statement.
Outlook
The sequel is still in early development; no production schedule or release date has been announced. Finalizing Carrey’s involvement and completing the script will determine whether the project receives a green-light and moves into production.
