by Ricky Church
Over 25 years since its release, Jim Carrey and Ron Howard are getting ready to return to Whoville in a sequel to their holiday hitHow The Grinch Stole Christmasbased on the classic Dr. Seuss story.
Released in 2000 How The Grinch Stole Christmaswas an adaptation and expansion of Dr. Seuss’ 1957 book, detailing the Grinch’s origin and how he came to hate Christmas with such intensity. The film starred Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin and Molly Shannon with Anthony Hopkins as the narrator. Howard directed and produced with his longtime collaborator Brian Grazer.
Carrey is in talks to reprise his iconic role, one which he admittedly hated at first to the long and painful make-up process becoming the Grinch. He got through it with the help of a specialist who trained CIA agents to withstand torture. The work ultimately paid off asThe Grinchis most praised for its make-up and costuming, a fact shown in the film’s Best Make-Up Oscar win for artists Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan.
The sequel’s script will be written by Alec Berg (Barry), Jeff Schaffer (Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness) and David Mandel (Veep).
The Grinch is arguably Dr. Seuss’ most famous and beloved character. The book was first adapted into the 1966 animated holiday specialDr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!which has become a staple of holiday viewing. It was again adapted as the animated filmThe Grinchfrom Illumination and Universal in 2018 with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Grinch.
Carrey has recently starred in theSonic The Hedgehoglive-action films as Dr. Robotnik, a role he will reprise inSonic The Hedgehog 4next year. Howard’s next film is the war dramaAlone at Dawnwhich stars Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway.
