Familiar Director Could Helm Universal’s New Grinch Movie

The rumored new Grinch movie from Universal has seemingly found its director, as per a recent report. This comes after a previous one suggested a new live-action movie based on the pop culture icon was being made.

New Grinch movie may have found its director in Ron Howard

Ron Howard may reportedly helm the new Grinch movie from Universal.

This comes from a new rumor shared by scooper MyTimetoShineHello. They wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the veteran filmmaker was “in talks to direct [it] for Universal.” A few weeks ago, fellow scooper Daniel Richtman shared on his Patreon that the studio was making the live-action feature adaptation.

Needless to say, these are only rumors as of the time of writing. Universal has not issued an official confirmation about its development. Moreover, casting and story details have also not been revealed.

Howard previously directed and co-produced with Brian Grazer a live-action adaptation of The Grinch, 2000’s Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Co-written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, the film stars Jim Carrey as the eponymous protagonist.

Following its initial release, the movie garnered mixed critical reception — reflected in its 50% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes — although the actor’s performance received widespread praise. However, it eventually became a Christmas classic over the years.

On the other hand, it found success at the box office, grossing approximately $350 million worldwide against its estimated $123 million production budget (via The Numbers). In addition to Carrey, the movie stars Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, and Molly Shannon, among others.

The Grinch last appeared on the big screen in animated form. Benedict Cumberbatch voiced the character in a self-titled film from Illumination released in 2018. It also featured the voices of Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, and Angela Lansbury, among others.

Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney directed from Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow’s script. Unlike Carrey’s movie, it received a more mixed-to-positive response, reflected in its 60% fresh critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on SuperHeroHype.