After Gladiator 2, the New Meet the Parents in the Works Proves Hollywood Has Ran Out of Ideas

More than 14 years after the release of the last film in this franchise, a new entry is now in development. Meet the Parents, originally released in 2001, will finally continue the story of the Fockers. Robert De Niro (The Irishman), Ben Stiller (Severance), and Teri Polo (Good Trouble) will return to the saga. Blythe Danner (American Gods) will also reprise her role as Jack Byrnes’ wife.

Universal has already confirmed that the project is underway. It joins a long list of unnecessary sequels that highlight the severe lack of ideas plaguing Hollywood in recent years. After the commercial success of films like Gladiator 2 and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it’s no surprise to see more aged IPs coming out of the woodwork. Meanwhile, the trilogy’s screenwriter, John Hamburg (The Unicorn), will return to pen the script for this new installment in the Meet the Parents universe.

Meet the Parents Sequel a Win?

The producers include Robert De Niro alongside Jane Rosenthal through Tribeca Productions. Ben Stiller and John Lesher will also participate as producers via Red Hour Films. Jay Roach (Bombshell), who directed the first two original films in this franchise, has not yet confirmed his involvement in this new project.

Teri Polo and Ben Stiller in Meet the Fockers. Image Credit: Universal.

These three films became highly successful comedies, collectively grossing over one billion dollars at the global box office. In 2001, Meet the Parents earned more than $300 million worldwide. The 2004 sequel, Meet the Fockers, grossed over $550 million and added Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman to the cast. In 2010, Little Fockers premiered, showing the couple as parents of a larger family. Unfortunately, this film did not perform as well at the box office but still surpassed $300 million globally.

In a time relatively vacant of good quality comedies, maybe the return to the Fockers universe is what’s needed. This project is still in early development and a confirmed release date is unknown.

For more Thumb Wars Films & TV coverage, check out our picks for story moments from The Last of Us Part 2 that should be adapted into the HBO show, or how Ella Purnell is gearing up for Fallout Season 2.