Jim Carrey Officially Returning for Grinch 2, 26 Years After Enduring ‘Torture’ on Original Set

Universal Pictures

According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, a sequel to the beloved live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is currently in the works, with discussions reportedly underway to bring back director Ron Howard and leading man Jim Carrey. This potential return is particularly noteworthy given that Carrey famously struggled during the production of the 2000 original, dealing with intense anxiety and going so far as to consult a specialized “torture” expert just to endure the demanding filming process.

The project aims to reunite the core creative team, including Carrey, Howard, and producer Brian Grazer. The screenplay is being developed by a trio of comedy veterans—Alec Berg (Barry), Jeff Schaffer (The League), and David Mandel (Veep). Having contributed to legendary sitcoms like Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, the writers are well-versed in crafting cynical, grumpy characters. Notably, this team also penned the 2003 Dr. Seuss adaptation, The Cat in the Hat.

While it remains unconfirmed whether this new entry will be live-action, the memory of the original’s production remains vivid. Carrey has previously spoken about his desire to quit the film, noting that he was willing to walk away from a $20 million payday due to the agony of the heavy, full-body Grinch prosthetics. In a detailed oral history shared by Vulture, the actor described the claustrophobic nightmare of wearing itchy yak hair, restrictive contact lenses, and oversized appendages that made basic movement or scratching impossible.

To cope with the grueling 92-day shooting schedule, production sought unconventional help. Producer Brian Grazer famously brought in Richard Marcinko, a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL commander, to coach Carrey on psychological endurance techniques typically used to survive captivity. Makeup artist Rick Baker, a master of his craft, noted that the sheer duration of the makeup application was a historical record for the industry.

Interestingly, Carrey credits a musical escape for helping him survive those long hours. “Listening to the entire Bee Gees catalog during the makeup process kept me sane,” Carrey revealed. “Their music is so inherently joyous; I owe a debt of gratitude to Barry Gibb for getting me through it.”

Universal Pictures, the studio behind the sequel, has also previously ventured into the Whoville universe with a 2018 animated feature voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. While the 2000 original was a financial triumph, grossing $350 million, the animated version outperformed it globally with $550 million. Meanwhile, fans can look forward to seeing Carrey return to a role he clearly relishes in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4, where he will once again portray the villainous Dr. Ivo Robotnik.

Source: Polygon