Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, the legendary producing and directing duo behind Imagine Entertainment, opened the door to a "Grinch" sequel during a UCLA Entertainment Symposium keynote, telling THR editor-in-chief Maer Roshan that a follow-up to their 2000 Jim Carrey vehicle remains on their radar. "It's something we've thought about for a long time," Howard said, though no active development is underway.
The comments arrive two decades after their live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic became a holiday staple, grossing over $345 million globally. The property has seen renewed interest through various incarnations, including the 2018 animated "The Grinch" and the recent "The Mean One" reboot that riffed on the IP. A Howard-Grazer "Grinch" revisit would carry their fingerprints on design, tone, and casting decisions.
Beyond sequel talk, Howard and Grazer weighed in on the rise of YouTube filmmakers and digital creators reshaping entertainment. The pair, who built their empire through traditional studio systems at Universal and later through their Imagine banner, acknowledged the democratization of filmmaking tools and distribution channels. They stopped short of concern, instead positioning themselves as observers of cultural shifts rather than gatekeepers resistant to change.
The conversation also touched on artificial intelligence, a topic consuming Hollywood discourse. Howard and Grazer expressed measured perspective on AI's role in production, avoiding both apocalyptic rhetoric and techno-utopianism. Neither suggested plans to step back from directing or producing, signaling continued involvement in major studio projects.
Howard's recent work includes "Willow" for Disney Plus and "Eden" in development, while Grazer maintains producing credits across multiple platforms. The pair's willingness to engage younger creators and emerging platforms reflects