Jim Carrey and Ron Howard reuniting for 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ sequel

More than 25 years after How the Grinch Stole Christmas became a holiday classic, Jim Carrey and director Ron Howard are preparing to return to Whoville.

According to Variety, a sequel to the 2000 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ beloved book is officially in development, with Carrey expected to reprise his role as the grumpy Christmas-hating Grinch and Howard returning to direct. Longtime collaborators Brian Grazer and Howard will also produce the project through Imagine Entertainment.

The screenplay is being written by Curb Your Enthusiasm veterans Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel. The trio previously collaborated on 2003’s The Cat in the Hat, another live-action adaptation of a Dr. Seuss property.

Released in November 2000, How the Grinch Stole Christmas grossed more than $345 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Although critics were divided, Carrey’s eccentric performance became one of the actor’s most iconic roles and helped turn the film into a perennial Christmas favourite.

Carrey has previously spoken about the physical toll of playing the Grinch, recalling that the elaborate makeup and costume made filming an exhausting experience. In recent years, however, he suggested he would be open to revisiting the character if advances in technology made the process less demanding.

The sequel marks another major return for Carrey, who has largely stepped away from acting outside of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. It will also reunite him with Howard for the first time since the original film.

No plot details, release date or additional casting announcements have been revealed, but the project is expected to continue the story of the green curmudgeon who famously learned the true meaning of Christmas.

With Carrey and Howard both set to return, the long-awaited follow-up promises to bring a fresh chapter to one of the most enduring festive films of the 21st century.