Boots Riley Adapts Dark Simpsons Post-Apocalyptic Theater Play
While a new Simpsons sequel arrives in 2027, filmmaker Boots Riley tackles a twisted theatrical adaptation where Springfield's family becomes mythology in a world without electricity.
While fans await the 2027 Simpsons sequel, another project promises to take Matt Groening's yellow family into much darker territory. Boots Riley, the creative force behind Sorry to Bother You and I'm a Virgo, will adapt Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play for the big screen.
Riley confirmed the news on social media with a simple statement: "This is a true thing."
From Broadway to Post-Apocalypse
The source material premiered off-Broadway in 2012. Anne Washburn wrote this strange dark comedy with Michael Friedman providing music. The story imagines a world where electricity vanished and civilization collapsed into something resembling medieval times.
Traveling theater groups perform Simpsons episodes for survivors. They focus on "Cape Feare," the Season 5 episode where Sideshow Bob hunts Bart for revenge. These performances become the new oral tradition.
Critical Success and Cultural Commentary
The original play earned a Drama League Award nomination. The Guardian gave it five stars, praising how it explored humanity's need for storytelling. Critics noted how the work examined cultural evolution through catastrophe.
The official description reads: "What will endure when the cataclysm arrives—when the grid fails, society crumbles, and we're faced with the task of rebuilding? Anne Washburn's imaginative dark comedy is an animated exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another."
Perfect Match for Riley's Vision
Riley's previous work consistently tackles capitalism and consumer culture. This project fits his artistic approach perfectly. The play shows how even after societal collapse, some systems persist in new forms.
The Simpsons launched December 17, 1989 on FOX. Groening's creation became a cultural touchstone that continues today. Now it might become something entirely different in Riley's hands.