The Fockers are back. Universal Pictures is in development on a new entry in the “Meet the Parents” franchise, and stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, and Blythe Danner are all in early talks to return to what will be the fourth film in the series, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire.
No director is set, but John Hamburg is writing the screenplay. The “Meet the Parents” franchise is one of the more successful comedy series ever, with a total franchise gross of over $1.13 billion at the global box office.
Plot details are being kept under wraps for the untitled film.
The series kicked off with “Meet the Parents” in 2000, which starred Stiller as a man trying to win the affection — or join the “circle of trust” — of his fiancé’s (Polo) hard-nosed parents, played by De Niro and Danner, made especially more complicated by the fact that De Niro is a former CIA agent. Jay Roach directed the original, which made $330 million at the box office. Sequels included 2004’s “Meet the Fockers,” which introduced Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand as Stiller’s parents, and 2010’s “Little Fockers.”
Jane Rosenthal and De Niro will produce the new “Meet the Parents” through Tribeca Productions. Roach will produce through his Delirious Media banner, and Stiller and John Lesher will produce through Red Hour Films.
Executive Vice President of Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garrell will oversee the project for the Studio.
De Niro is represented by CAA and Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks. Stiller is represented by WME, ID and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Polo is represented by Gersh, McGowan Rodriguez Management, and Kraditor & Haber. Danner is represented by Anonymous Content. Hamburg is represented by WME and Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo.
Deadline first reported the news.
