New "Meet the Parents" movie in the pipeline
The previous films were characterized by a variety of embarrassing situations
A reunion with the Fockers is imminent! 14 years after "Little Fockers", a new film of the popular comedy series is finally being planned.
According to rumors, Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo and Blythe Danner are planning a return for part 4 of the "Meet the Parents" series, which is currently being developed by Universal Pictures. According to Deadline, however, there are no details about the story yet.
John Hamburg, who was involved in the previous films as screenwriter and producer, will be working as author. Jane Rosenthal and De Niro are once again producing via Tribeca Productions as well as Jay Roach, who directed the first two parts. Ben Stiller and John Lesher are also on board as producers. Nothing is yet known about the director of the new film.
The film series, which began in 2000 with "Meet the Parents", brought humorous stories about the tensions between Greg Focker, a nurse, and his father-in-law Jack Byrnes, a retired CIA agent, to the big screen. The sequels "Meet the Fockers" (2004) and "Little Fockers" (2010) continued these stories and established the series as a box office hit with total box office takings of over 1.13 billion dollars.
In addition to the main characters, the previous films also starred Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand as Greg's eccentric parents and Owen Wilson as Pam's former boyfriend. It is not yet clear whether they will return in their roles for the sequel.
The "Meet the Parents" series: A look at one of the most successful comedy franchises
The film series "Meet the Parents" is one of the most successful and popular comedies of recent decades. With a star-studded cast, hilarious scenes and a clever mix of family chaos and cultural conflicts, the trilogy has delighted millions of fans worldwide. With a new film currently being developed by Universal Pictures, the franchise may be experiencing a revival – and viewers can look forward to seeing what comes next.
The beginning of the series: Meet the Parents (2000)
The first film in the series, "Meet the Parents", was released in 2000 and introduced Ben Stiller as Greg Focker, a nurse who wants to meet the family of his girlfriend Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo). The meeting quickly turns into a nightmare when Greg meets Jack's father, retired CIA agent Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). Jack's suspicious and arrogant nature causes a series of embarrassing mishaps that repeatedly put Greg in difficult situations.
The film scored with its sharp humor and the brilliant chemistry between Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The mix of family conflicts, romantic moments and slapstick antics appealed to audiences and critics alike. With worldwide box office takings of over 330 million dollars, the film was a box office hit and the seventh most successful film of 2000.
Expansion of the universe: Meet the Fockers (2004)
After the great success of the first film, the sequel "Meet the Fockers" followed in 2004. The plot revolves around Greg and Pam planning their wedding and encountering even more family challenges. This time, Jack's strict rules and control clash with Greg's eccentric parents Bernie and Roz Focker, played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.
The sequel introduced new characters and expanded the world of the first film. The contrasts between the conservative Byrnes and the free-spirited Fockers in particular provided laughs and additional tension. The film outperformed its predecessor at the box office and grossed over 516 million dollars worldwide. Even today, it is considered one of the best parts of the series.
The conclusion of the trilogy: Little Fockers (2010)
In 2010, the third part, "Little Fockers", was released in cinemas. The story jumps forward a few years and shows Greg and Pam as a married couple with twins. However, Jack Byrnes is still suspicious and questions Greg's abilities as a family man. This leads to new conflicts and some of the most bizarre moments of the entire series.
Although the film was met with mixed reviews, it was financially successful and closed the trilogy with a total of 310 million dollars. The focus this time was more on family values and less on the cultural clash, which was criticized by some fans. Nevertheless, the film remains an important part of the series.
The success and future of the franchise
The "Meet the Parents" series is known for its likeable characters and the perfect interplay of a top-class ensemble. In addition to Stiller, De Niro, Polo and Danner, Hoffman and Streisand as Greg's parents and Owen Wilson as Pam's ex-boyfriend Kevin also left a lasting impression.
Together, the trilogy grossed over 1.13 billion dollars worldwide and was nominated for several awards. The first film in particular is often regarded as one of the best comedies of its time.