Family Guys is one of my favorite shows, animated or otherwise. I love the off the wall, out of nowhere, “I can’t believe he did that” humor. I haven’t missed an episode, and I don’t plan on missing one any time soon. A while ago, Family Guy fans were treated to what amounts to an extra long episode, with the release of Family Guy Presents Stewie: The Untold Story. It was classic Family Guy, providing everything fans have come to expect from the show and more, as you would expect from an 88 minute episode. At the time, it was the closest thing any of us ever thought we were gonna get to a real Family Guy movie. But that was before The Simpsons finally got their big shot at movie glory. Since that time, it’s been widely speculated that creator Seth McFarlane would eventually want to take a shot at turning his successful animated FOX show into a successful animated movie. There is no doubt in my mind that McFarlane, when given proper time, could turn Family Guy into a very successful and freaking hilarious movie. He’s proven his genius time and time again. Don’t believe me? Are you one of the five people who hasn’t seen Family Guy before?!? Do yourself a favor and seek out the amazing Family Guy Star Wars parody called Blue Harvest. The genius of the Star Wars parodies will continue in true trilogy fashion with an Empire Stikes Back parody entitled “Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” and the rough outline work has already been done on the closing entry of the classic Star Wars trilogy parody, tentatively titled “Episode VI: The Great Muppet Caper”. Seth McFarlane is pure genius. Who cares if he is really just an alien bent on taking over the world?!? Whatever he is, he’s funny!
What most people would never have suspected, is that McFarlane is seriously considering shooting segments of his Family Guy movie in live-action! Now, the hardcore series fanatics will tell you this news is not a surprise, as the show has been known to incorporate live-action sequences into the show, but that is neither here nor there. Here are McFarlane’s thoughts on the future project, as told to Adam Carolla on Carolla’s podcast:
MCFARLANE: I can say with definitive assuredness that it will be out. Within the next few years. We already know what it’s gonna be. We’ve been trying to lock into something that makes it so that it has to be a movie, as opposed to an extended Family Guy episode. And I like The Simpsons Movie, but that’s something they could do with animation on TV because they’re not constrained by sets… You have to find some way to make it so that it has to be a movie.
CAROLLA: Are you hinting at some live action?
MCFARLANE: Possibly, possibly. Here and there. It will not be a 90-minute Family Guy episode.
I sense a little friendly rivalry brewing between McFarlane and fellow FOX employees (and Simpsons creators) James L. Brooks and Matt Groening! Of course, I must be kidding… Seriously, I like what I heard from McFarlane. The Simpsons Moviewas great. It did feel like one big episode, and some may argue that as the key factor in the success of the film and the quality of the work produced, myself included. That said, I think it’s great that he wants to give any potential Family Guy film a different look and feel than any other animated series based film before it. Family Guy has always been different from other animated series, so a true Family Guy movie probably should be different from other animated series based films. I don’t know what is going to happen, and I’m sure no one but Seth McFarlane himself really knows what this project will end up being. The beauty of Family Guy, and the thing that will definitely keep people talking about a Family Guy film whenever production begins, is that it is completely unpredictable. You just don’t know what is going to happen. That’s exactly what I expect from any creative process when Seth McFarlane is involved.
As a final act to show my appreciation for Family Guy, I’d like to leave you with an image that I just can’t help but laugh at, and I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it too. Click on the thumbnail below to check out the full size, high-res image, and laugh away. Anyway, you can bet we’ll keep you updated on any further Family Guy film developments. Unless of course unless Seth McFarlane, Eliza Dushku and Alec Baldwin take over the world! Damn you Hulu. Damn you.
