The Simpsons Showrunner Teases New Short With Disney Character Cameo
Soon, a new Simpsons short film could feature a crossover with another character from the Disney brand. The Simpsons is an animated sitcom created by Matt Groening, which debuted on Fox in 1989 and has since become the longest-running animated series, sitcom, and primetime scripted series in American history. The show, which is currently airing season 33, follows the adventures of a suburban family from Springfield and the wacky townsfolk they interact with. Over the decades that it has been on the air, The Simpsons has spawned a vast multimedia franchise that includes comic books, video games, merchandise, and the 2007 feature The Simpsons Movie.
Although The Simpsons is a Fox property, it is now owned by Disney following their acquisition of 20th Century Studios in 2019. Since then, the series has become available on their proprietary streaming service Disney+, and the platform has created several exclusive shorts featuring the characters. The first of these shorts was the 2021 The Force Awakens from Its Nap, featuring baby Maggie Simpson on a Star Wars adventure with the droid BB-8. Later that year, Bart was featured in a Marvel Cinematic Universe crossover with Loki, followed by a short where Homer went to Moe's Tavern with Goofy. Disney+ is also releasing a short called When Billie Met Lisa tomorrow where Lisa Simpson gets to meet recording artist Billie Eilish, playing herself.
Screen Rant had the opportunity to sit down with The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean, who has been the solo showrunner for the series since season 13, though he was originally involved on the writing staff starting on season 1. When asked if there were any unexplored avenues for future Simpsons crossovers, Jean's answer was quite revealing. He did confirm that "we've got more we're working on," but "it hasn't been cleared yet, so I can't say what it is." Read the full quote below:
We've got more we're working on. It hasn't been cleared yet, so I can't say what it is. But it's just been pointed out to me that the first one was Maggie and BB-8, and then it was Bart and Loki. So, we have another Simpsons character we haven't seen yet with another Disney character that we think will be really fun.
Considering how many far-ranging properties are now under the Disney umbrella, it would be difficult to guess what this intended upcoming crossover may be. As for what Simpsons character will be featured, that is easier to guess. The only main cast member from the family yet to be the focus of a Disney+ short is Marge Simpson, the blue-haired matriarch voiced by Julie Kavner.
There are many universes within the new Disney canon that are options for a potential pairing with Marge, including Pixar (which is expanding their own universe with the Toy Story spinoff Lightyear this June) and the Muppets. There are also more recording artists who have a history of partnering with the platform like Olivia Rodrigo and Beyoncé. Whoever appears on The Simpsons next, it's certain to be someone splashy and altogether surprising.