The beloved animated series “The Simpsons” is set to deliver a fresh twist on the iconic character Venom in its upcoming “Treehouse of Horror” episode. This marks the 35th installment of the annual Halloween special, which promises to be the “scariest 35th Halloween special ever.”
In this unique parody, Homer Simpson encounters a character named “Denim,” a playful nod to the popular Marvel anti-hero. The segment will feature a stop-motion animation style, crafted by the talented team at Stoopid Buddy, known for their work on “Robot Chicken.”
Showrunner Matt Selman shared insights about the segment, describing it as a humorous exploration of Homer’s “deep relationship with a simple alien symbiotic pair of jeans.” The creative team is excited about the comedic potential of this concept, which will be brought to life using actual stop-motion denim puppets. Seth Green and Harv Harvatine from Stoopid Buddy joined the panel to discuss the production process, revealing that it took several months to shoot the segment.
The “Treehouse of Horror” episode is not the only spooky offering from “The Simpsons” this season. Producers have also announced a “second scary trilogy” titled “Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” which will feature three stories inspired by the works of Ray Bradbury. Selman emphasized that these stories will maintain a balance of darkness and humor, perfectly fitting the Halloween spirit.
Conrad mentioned that this new trilogy falls under the “Treehouse Presents” umbrella. The writers, inspired by Selman’s readings of Bradbury, have crafted several episodes that pay homage to the author’s style. Notably, the episode will feature guest star Andy Serkis, adding to the excitement surrounding this special.
Interestingly, Groening recounted a past encounter with Bradbury, who had once criticized the show for borrowing elements from one of his “Twilight Zone” episodes. Reflecting on this, Groening humorously speculated on what Bradbury might think of the upcoming parody, while Selman quipped about the hopes that Bradbury’s estate would appreciate the homage.
Scheduled to air right after Halloween, the 35th “Treehouse of Horror” episode will be followed by the Ray Bradbury-inspired episode in November.
In addition to the Halloween specials, the panel also unveiled a new opening credits sequence created by guest animator Jorge Gutierrez, known for “Book of Life.” This fresh animation will set the tone for this year’s “Treehouse” episode.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. The producers teased the Season 36 opener, titled “Bart’s Birthday,” which will feature a star-studded lineup including former “Simpsons” writer Conan O’Brien, along with guest appearances from John Cena, Danny DeVito, and Tom Hanks. Selman described the premiere as a “crazy, star-studded” event with bold ideas.
Among other upcoming stories, one segment of “Treehouse” will explore the theme of division in society, depicted through literal red versus blue monsters in a “Pacific Rim” style pool. Additionally, a parody of “The White Lotus” titled “The Yellow Lotus” is in the works, along with an episode that serves as a spiritual follow-up to the classic “22 Short Films About Springfield,” but with a unique twist.
During the panel, Selman engaged the audience by asking them to scream, promising that the recording would be incorporated into the “Treehouse” episode. The response was overwhelming, resulting in what may have been the loudest scream ever recorded at a Comic-Con panel.
A surprising highlight of the event was a video clip featuring Vice President Kamala Harris quoting a famous line from the Season 8 “Treehouse of Horror” episode, delivered by Kodos disguised as Bill Clinton. This clip, recorded years ago by college students, showcased the enduring impact of “The Simpsons” on popular culture.
As fans eagerly await the next installment, the teaser poster for “Denim” has been revealed, offering a glimpse of the creative direction the show is taking with this parody.
With its clever humor and cultural references, “The Simpsons” continues to push boundaries and entertain audiences, ensuring that the legacy of the series remains strong as it embarks on yet another Halloween adventure.
Source: Variety
