ROTTEN TOMATOES: "The Simpsons Movie" Still Undergoing Plot Construction

"The Simpsons Movie" Still Undergoing Plot Construction

by Scott Weinberg | April 30, 2007

You know how sometimes you'll see a trailer that delivers a bunch of scenes that don't make it into the final cut of the movie? Well, expect that to happen on "The Simpsons Movie."

"Simpsons" head honchos Matt Groening and James L. Brooks recently sat down for a very solid interview with Entertainment Weekly, and here are a few of the teasy tidbits they had to offer:

On the ever-changing structure of the movie: "We saw a trailer the other day, and somebody said 70 percent of the things in it — based on where we were eight weeks ago — are no longer in the movie, because we keep on fooling around." Guess that means we can expect either A) a whole bunch of deleted scenes on the DVD, or B) an "extended edition" of the movie once it goes digital.

On how many of your favorite Springfieldians get to make the leap to the silver screen: "There are 94 speaking parts [so far]. And our animals don't speak." Cool, as long as Lenny and Karl are involved, I'm happy. Ooh, and Krusty. And Skinner. Oh, and Disco Stu.

On a recent test screening in Portland: "We learned that the audience is looking forward to seeing their favorite characters, but we still have to surprise them. It's not just seeing your old favorites come out and wave to the audience.... And we changed some language in the movie, because some people were bugged." No word yet on how the Portlanders felt about Bart Simpson's alleged sequence of full-frontal nakedness.

Anyway, check EW for the rest of the amusing interview.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

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(1-18 of 18 posts) | Reply

bamb0o-stick writes:
on Apr 30 2007 04:21 AM

[b]How's this for an idea?[/b]
I just have this uneasy feeling this movie is going to be like the Family Guy movie, its going to be pretty bland with only a few jokes that will make you laugh. The rest would be mostly just filler that goes no where. Based on the trailers/teasers, I still have no idea what the story is about.

They should make a movie of Hank Scorpio's return. That was one of the best episodes ("You Only Move Twice" I believe its called) that starred Albert Brooks as the supervillain that might even surpass Mr. Burns.

(Reply to this)

LimpytheTurtle writes:
on Apr 30 2007 04:33 AM

In reply to this comment (#863165)
Thats the best Simpsons idea I heard in a long ass time.

(Reply to this)

Gimy writes:
on Apr 30 2007 06:20 AM

again i'll say it..."this movie looks like its gonna suck". its been in the making for years now, and its STILL being redone with no real end in sight? this has all the makings of an overrated crapfest - big time hype, FORMER tv show(dude, this show ended years ago), reshoots, the ol' "heeey folks, we're just fixin' up the script a lil' bit, uhm....AGAIN!" bs every other month and now...rumors of a big nude scene. ZZzzzzz...

(Reply to this)

gratefuldawg writes:
on Apr 30 2007 06:55 AM

They should've used HOMER VS NEW YORK CITY (?) as the film. That certainly was the best episode apart from Hank Scorpio. I think Groening & Brooks are on the defense because they finally realized that average people dont like this current version of the show; hence the comments about fake trailers. People will say they love thier lackluster Simpsons given there free every Sunday; but to pay $7.50, not so much love is found. I hate to sound old, but the show was once the best thing on television for about seven years. It contained plausable storylines with a little message buried beneath the mayhem; kind of like The Honeymooners and Dick Van Dyke. Sure, you would get the occasional insane premise but it was grounded and the writers abided to that reality. Now its like BAMBOO STICK noted on the film,"pretty bland and just filler going nowhere" It was a classic sitcom in animation format. Not just a cartoon. Family Guy and The Flintstones are/were just cartoons. But it's rapidly becoming just a simple minded cartoon, and hopefully this film will bring back the shows dignity it deserves.

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Apr 30 2007 08:14 AM

i am also worried about this. please surprise me Mr. Groening.

(Reply to this)

sharpless writes:
on Apr 30 2007 08:18 AM

It opens in three months and they're still not exactly sure what the plot is? Hmm...

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Apr 30 2007 08:53 AM

Does anyone honestly expect this movie to be good?

(Reply to this)

FireflyFan4evr writes:
on Apr 30 2007 09:42 AM

In reply to this comment (#863171)
I HOPE it will be- does that count?

(Reply to this)

jlf278 writes:
on Apr 30 2007 09:49 AM

[b]Pleasantly Surprised[/b]
I think this is great news and don't know why you all aren't happy that this movie might end up having a plot. Wow!

(Reply to this)

Neclord writes:
on Apr 30 2007 12:44 PM

Hank Scorpio, I like that idea. Even if it's not being used, though, will Albert Brooks at least cameo in this film?

(Reply to this)

djadeli writes:
on Apr 30 2007 03:30 PM

[b]Still Hopeful[/b]
I'm like many of you that thinks that the Simpsons had its heyday in the 90s. Since then, it's been pretty much downhill with the occassional episode sparking a laugh. Needless to say, it's more surprising to see one now that is funny, rather than the other way around. Still, the show played a strong part in sculpting my sense of humor, and for that, I have to give the movie a chance. It's like going to see a band that is past its prime. You're still looking for that old feeling, even if they are old. And you still think they may surprise you. Either way, I'll be there opening day.

(Reply to this)

bamb0o-stick writes:
on Apr 30 2007 04:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#863174)
I don't see why not. What's A. Brooks doing now anyways? lol

As for the Hank Scorpio idea, the story practically writes itself. Scorpio already takes over the Eastern coast of America from that episode, so he decides to move West which unfortunately involves Springfield. Homer doesn't like that, story involves saving his family, epic battle scenes, Scorpio breaks out some scantily-clad henchwomen... is anybody writing me a check?

(Reply to this)

Bob* writes:
on Apr 30 2007 07:41 PM

well they said that they were going to give fake plots so people will be surprised so...who knows.

(Reply to this)

bribios writes:
on Apr 30 2007 08:45 PM

Really hoping those old writers can bring back some of the comedy of those old episodes, and maybe even give the new writers some pointers. Hank Scorpio definitely needs to return, and I think I would agree that that episode may well be the funniest one in the whole series. I still laugh more in those old episodes I've seen millions of times then I do in the new ones.

I actually have some faith in the movie, despite the current quality of the show. If they cut down on stories involving peripheral characters, focus more on barts stupidity more than his bratiness, make lisa less whiny, and make homer a little more subtle (it seems like Castelanetta yells half his lines in recent episodes), I think the show could reclaim some of its glory. Oh and funny jokes, that could work too.

Im sorry, that was kind of off topic.

(Reply to this)

kenporules writes:
on May 01 2007 12:37 AM

Man, all it needs is to have been somehow made 10 years ago and I'd be really, really looking forward to this. I guess I just don't really have much faith in it anymore - the writing ranges from mildly entertaining to just plain awful now. Watching old episodes (and still laughing my ass off) is depressing.

(Reply to this)

bluestar50 writes:
on May 01 2007 07:27 AM

I hope that this movie will be more like the classic episodes. If it's anything like the newer episodes, the movie's going to suck big time. I used to love watching the Simpsons on Sunday nights, now it's time for the Simpsons to be put out of it's misery.

(Reply to this)

Cindy_Lou_Who writes:
on May 02 2007 10:50 AM

It's a Simpson Movie for gawd's sake, not The Godfather. Homer is Homer, Marge has blue hair, Bart shakes his butt; Lisa has no friends; yada, yada, yada. How much of a plot can their be?

(Reply to this)

killermonkey8822 writes:
on May 02 2007 06:11 PM

Exaggeration time:

Oh no plot construction some scenes from that beautiful trailer oh my god that new animation hope it dosen't get runied the new writers are amazing i can't believe they can think of the most original and creative ideas with that and i can't believe matt groening would make such a kool desicion like that with firing his old ones man am i glad bryan singer left the x men series brett ratner did an excellent job and the simpsons movie is going to be excellent i will have to go early to get tickets the theater will be packed and sold i will have to show up 2 hours early just to get a seat but i would do anything for homer.

(actually though simpsons is one of the most memorable shows of my childhood along with the old teenage mutant ninja turtles and samurai pizzacats and stickin' around and transformers, i am not excited for this at all and i think that the simpsons is crap now and why don't they take it off the air like seirously are they cheating their ratings just to prove that they can be on the air for 30 years or what i don't get it i hope after this they quit the show because things are getting retarded here)

(Reply to this)

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