Updated

Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 18

Universal Develops Grinch Sequel as Jim Carrey, Ron Howard Eye Return 26 Years Later

Updated

Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 18

Universal Develops Grinch Sequel as Jim Carrey, Ron Howard Eye Return 26 Years Later

Q: After his 'torturous' makeup ordeal, what convinced Jim Carrey to return as the Grinch?

There is no confirmed public explanation yet for what specifically convinced Jim Carrey to return for the new Grinch sequel. What is clear from the reporting is that Carrey is only “in talks” to reprise the role, while the sequel itself is being driven by the lasting popularity of the 2000 film, which remains a strong holiday streaming performer. That commercial strength, along with the return of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, likely helps explain why the project is moving forward, but no source cited in the available reports says Carrey has personally identified a reason for coming back. The only well-documented account concerns how he got through the original film after the makeup process became, in his words, torturous. During that production, the eight-hour makeup application, painful contact lenses and heavy costume reportedly triggered panic attacks and nearly led him to quit. Producer Brian Grazer then brought in former Navy SEAL Richard Marcinko, who taught Carrey endurance and coping techniques that helped him finish the movie. So, based on the available information, what convinced Carrey to complete the first Grinch film is known; what convinced him to return for the sequel has not been publicly established.

3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 18

Universal and Imagine Entertainment are developing a sequel to 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with Jim Carrey in talks to return as the Grinch and Ron Howard set to direct and produce.
Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel are writing the script, giving the project a comedy-heavy creative team that previously worked together on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” credits and 2003’s “The Cat in the Hat.”
The original film gives the sequel a strong commercial base: it led the domestic box office in 2000 with $260 million and grossed $345 million worldwide, while also winning an Oscar for makeup.
Streaming has kept Carrey’s Grinch relevant, with the film ranking among Nielsen’s top 10 most-streamed holiday movies for five straight years and reaching No. 2 overall with 962 million minutes viewed last Christmas.