THE APEX TIMES
Jim Carrey in Talks to Reteam With Ron Howard for Universal’s ‘The Grinch 2’
Deadline reports that Jim Carrey and director Ron Howard are in discussions with Universal Pictures about a sequel to the modern holiday film based on Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book.
Universal Pictures is considering a sequel to its modern holiday film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with Deadline reporting on June 18, 2026 that Jim Carrey is in talks to reteam with director Ron Howard for “The Grinch 2.” Deadline said the project would be a continuation of the 2000-era big-screen holiday adaptation, which brought the story of the Grinch to a contemporary audience through a feature film anchored in Dr. Seuss’s original children’s literature.
According to the report, the sequel is currently untitled, and its story details are being kept under wraps. Deadline did not describe any specific plot direction, characters, or time period for the follow-up, focusing instead on the fact that Carrey and Howard are being discussed as key creative partners for the next installment.
The original film, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” is described by Deadline as a “modern holiday classic” that adapts Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book. The sequel, if greenlit and completed, would therefore continue Universal’s reliance on a well-known holiday property with established brand recognition among family audiences, especially during the winter season.
Deadline’s report also indicates that Ron Howard would have an expanded role on the sequel. In addition to directing, Howard would produce the project, according to the description accompanying the announcement. That would place Howard not only behind the camera but also in a production capacity, consistent with filmmakers taking a broader role in shepherding a studio franchise’s creative and logistical decisions.
Universal’s involvement would mean additional coordination across distribution, marketing, and release planning for a holiday event film. While the report did not provide a target release date, the project would likely need to be scheduled with care given the operational realities of holiday releases, including production timelines, family-oriented advertising windows, and theater and home entertainment rollout expectations.
The immediate next steps, based on the information in the Deadline report, center on whether the talks lead to finalized deals and a formally announced production start. With the sequel’s plot being kept private at this stage, studios and talent teams would typically proceed through contractual commitments, script development, and production planning before any further public details emerge.
Why It Matters
- A “Grinch” sequel would reinforce Universal’s control of a major seasonal IP with established audience recognition for family viewing.
- With the project’s story details not yet public, any subsequent announcements will likely focus first on finalized talent agreements and production structure before creative specifics are released.
- A director-producer role for Ron Howard could affect how production decisions are coordinated across development and filmmaking, potentially influencing timeline and budget control for the studio.
- If the talks progress, the film’s release planning will need to fit holiday market expectations for marketing and distribution, given the typical demand cycle for winter family entertainment.
Key Facts
- Deadline reported on June 18, 2026 that Jim Carrey is in talks to reteam with director Ron Howard for a sequel at Universal Pictures titled “The Grinch 2.”
- The sequel is currently untitled, and its plot is being kept under wraps, according to the report.
- The project would be a sequel to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” described as a modern holiday classic adapted from Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book.
- Deadline states that in addition to directing, Ron Howard would produce the sequel if the project moves forward.