Boots Riley to Direct Dark Simpsons Movie: Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play
A new Simpsons movie is on the way, but filmmaker Boots Riley is taking the franchise in a bold new direction with a post-apocalyptic adaptation where the iconic show becomes the last surviving myth after civilization falls.
Fans of animated comedy are in for a surprise as a fresh take on Springfield ’s most famous family is headed to the big screen. While a follow-up to The Simpsons Movie is set for release in 2027, a much darker and more unconventional project is also in development. This time, the familiar faces of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are reimagined in a world where civilization has collapsed, and the only piece of pop culture left standing is the long-running animated series itself.
Filmmaker Boots Riley, best known for his work on Sorry to Bother You and the superhero series I'm a Virgo, has confirmed he will direct this unique adaptation. Riley announced the project on X/Twitter, writing,
This is a true thing.
The film, titled Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, is based on the acclaimed 2012 off-Broadway play by Anne Washburn, with music by Michael Friedman. The story unfolds in a future where electricity has vanished, plunging humanity into a new dark age. In this bleak setting, a group of survivors forms a traveling theater troupe, performing classic episodes of The Simpsons for scattered communities. Their main focus is the episode "Cape Feare" from the show’s fifth season, where Sideshow Bob plots revenge against Bart.
Reimagining Pop Culture After the Fall
Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play earned critical praise and a Drama League Award nomination for its inventive approach to storytelling. The Guardian awarded it five stars, highlighting its exploration of how stories endure and transform over time. The play uses the familiar world of The Simpsons to examine how myths and legends are born from the remnants of popular culture, even as society struggles to rebuild from the ashes.
The official synopsis asks,
What will endure when the cataclysm arrives—when the grid fails, society crumbles, and we’re faced with the task of rebuilding? Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark comedy is an animated exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.
The narrative delves into the persistence of capitalism and consumerism, even in a world stripped of modern conveniences, and how the stories we tell shape our collective memory.
Boots Riley’s Vision for a Post-Apocalyptic Springfield
Boots Riley’s previous films have tackled themes of capitalism and the power of storytelling, making him a natural fit for this adaptation. His signature style promises to bring a fresh perspective to the material, blending dark humor with social commentary. The project stands apart from the upcoming Simpsons sequel, offering a more thought-provoking and surreal take on the beloved franchise.
Since its debut on December 17, 1989, the animated series created by Matt Groening has become a cultural touchstone, with countless writers, directors, and actors contributing to its legacy. Now, with Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, the show’s influence is set to be reimagined for a new era, exploring what happens when the stories we cherish become the myths that define us.