Fox Issues Official Word on "The Simpsons Movie"

by | April 4, 2006 | Comments

Yesterday we pointed you to a "bootleg" version of the "The Simpsons Movie" teaser trailer, but since then the clip has been moved over to the Apple Quicktime trailer site, which improves the video quality quite a bit. Also, Fox has issued the following press release regarding the lava-hotly-anticipated movie:

Homer Simpson announced the much-anticipated feature film based on the hit television series The Simpsons will premiere in theaters worldwide July 27, 2007. The announcement was made in a specially-prepared teaser trailer that appears on prints of Ice Age: The Meltdown, which opened in theaters March 31. The teaser also aired on Sunday’s (April 2nd) episode of the hit TV series on FOX, which has just been picked up for its 18th and 19th seasons.

Starring in the animated film are series regulars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, and Tress MacNeille. Guest starring in the movie are Erin Brockovich, Minnie Driver, and Albert Brooks.

Producing the feature are The Simpsons series executive producer James L. Brooks, creator Matt Groening, current showrunner Al Jean, Mike Scully and Richard Sakai. The script is written by Groening, Brooks, Jean, Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti – all series veterans. David Silverman (Monsters Inc.), the series’ supervising animation director, is helming the feature.

"This was enormously challenging, because it involved filling 120 blank pages with an actual story and words people say," said producer James L. Brooks.

"We’re very excited about the performances in this movie. Come next Oscars, we think it’s going to be Milhouse’s night," said producer Matt Groening.

"I can absolutely guarantee that this film will far exceed the wildest expectations of every Simpsons fan," said producer Al Jean. "Start lining up at the theater now, preferably in costume."

"The movie is a result of the very singular vision of eleven people," said producer Mike Scully.

"We have all watched The Simpsons evolve from a groundbreaking television series into a global cultural phenomenon and everyone at Fox is excited about its leap to the big screen," said Chris Meledandri, President of Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

Now in its 17th season, The Simpsons is the longest-running comedy series in the history of television. The critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 21 Emmy Awards, 21 Annie Awards, four Genesis Awards, eight International Monitor Awards, two People’s Choice Awards, three British Comedy Awards, three Writers Guild Awards, and a Television Critics Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.