Jim Carrey's return for How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2 is still a possibility, but with one condition 

Jim Carrey's portrayal of the Grinch in the 2000 holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas remains iconic more than 20 years later, sparking continued anticipation for a sequel. Directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, the film was released on November 17, 2000, as a live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved book.

The movie gained commercial success, grossing $345 million worldwide against a $123 million budget, making it the highest-grossing holiday film at the time. Audiences were captivated by its whimsical set design and Carrey's energetic performance, although critical reception was mixed. While Carrey's portrayal was widely praised, the film as a whole received varied reviews.

Now, over two decades later, the news of How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2 has set fans abuzz. An interview that Jim Carrey gave to ComicBook.com in December 2024 focused on how he would probably return to play the Grinch once more in a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He remembered his hardships dealing with all the prosthetics and makeup for the iconic character.

“Oh, gosh, you know, if we could figure out the Grinch, The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process. The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids." - Carrey said in the interiew with ComicBook during Sonic the Hedgehog 3 promotions on December 11, 2024 .

During the interview, Carrey said improved motion capture would be one of the major determining factors for him to revisit the character. The interview was part of a larger discussion about Carrey's career, current projects, and changes in the landscape of filmmaking technology.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2 is a possibility with one condition: Explained

The only condition that can ensure Jim Carrey's reprisal as the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2 is an improvement in the technology used in makeup and costume.

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Carrey revealed that for him to reprise one of his most iconic roles, he would have to rely on motion capture technology as a replacement for the heavy, painful prosthetics and makeup used in the first film.

He also called it excruciating in the 2000 production process, when sometimes the makeup would take up to 8 hours a day, which drove him to despair over such extended hours transforming into the Grinch.

But with new technologies, Carrey would think that motion capture would save him from the discomfort of putting on traditional makeup and playing the Grinch. He could, therefore, pick up the role with even more ease and focus on different areas of How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2.

While a sequel is not confirmed, by these words from Carrey, interest in the character remains only with the right technological tools at one's disposal.

And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.” - Carrey said in the interiew with ComicBook during Sonic the Hedgehog 3 promotions on December 11, 2024 .

As for what Carrey is up to these days, he has been focusing on his art and philanthropic endeavours. He does a few acting projects here and there like Sonic the Hedgehog, but a lot of his work in the last few years has been very selective. For the most part, Carrey has stayed away from major blockbuster films and instead focuses on personal projects and his advocacy for mental health.

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Dr Seuss Estate’s Guidelines for How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2: Explained

The Dr. Seuss Estate, managed by Audrey Geisel, imposed strict conditions on the adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For the film rights, Geisel demanded $5 million, along with 4% of the movie’s box-office earnings, 50% of merchandising revenue, and 70% of any book tie-in sales.

The production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas involved specific requirements set by Dr. Seuss's estate. The estate mandated final approval of the director and writer, with the director needing a proven track record, including earning at least $1 million from prior projects.

For casting the Grinch, the estate required an actor who fit specific physical criteria and considered notable names such as Jack Nicholson, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Jim Carrey. Ultimately, Jim Carrey was chosen, meeting both the physical and professional standards, and his energetic performance became central to the film's success.

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Stay tuned for more updates on How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2.