Universal Pictures is developing a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the 2000 live-action adaptation that grossed over $345 million worldwide and ranked as the top-grossing domestic film of the year. Jim Carrey is in talks to reprise the title role. Ron Howard, who directed the original, is set to return. Both Deadline and Variety reported the development on June 18.
Brian Grazer will produce alongside Howard through Imagine Entertainment. Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel are writing the screenplay. Susan Brandt, CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, is overseeing the project. Universal executives Britt Hennemuth and Christina Hoffrogge are also attached.
The original film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and remains one of the most commercially successful holiday films of its era. Universal and Illumination released a separate animated adaptation in 2018, but this project returns to the live-action format.
Carrey's re-engagement comes with context. He has spoken openly about the physical demands of the original shoot. In 2024, he told ComicBook.com: "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." According to Variety, his involvement may depend on whether motion-capture technology can replace the intensive prosthetics work.
Plot details are being kept under wraps. No release date has been announced. Carrey's willingness to endure the chair again may be the last thing standing between this sequel and a green light.