'The Simpsons' Themed 'Mr. Burns' Being Adapted For The Big Screen By Boots Riley

TV & Film

Jan 15

The cast of Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play — Image Source: NIDA

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One of the most acclaimed plays of the last 15 years is making its way to the big screen! Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (or Mr. Burns for short) is currently being developed into a feature film by rapper-turned-auteur filmmaker Boots Riley. Written by prolific playwright Anne Washburn, Mr. Burns is a play centered on a family living in a post-apocalyptic society. After recounting the events of The Simpsons season 5 episode Cape Feare, the family then forms a traveling theater company that performs episodes of the show. The play itself features characters who act as different Simpsons characters, including the titular Mr. Burns and Sideshow Bob, who jointly portray an avatar of death and destruction. The play also features songs written by Michael Friedman.

Mr. Burns (which debuted in 2012) received critical acclaim for its writing, performances, themes, and originality. Since its debut, Mr. Burns has frequently been hailed as one of the greatest plays of the 21st Century. In 2014, Mr. Burns received a Drama League Award nomination for Outstanding Production of a Play Off-Broadway. In 2018, The New York Times named Mr. Burns as the 4th greatest American play released after Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. Mr. Burns has also had productions in the U.K. and Australia.

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Boots Riley is wearing his signature red hat in a photoshoot. — Image Source: Rolling Stone

Who better to bring such a unique play to the big screen than one of the most unique filmmakers in the game? Boots Riley came on to the scene in 1991, forming the indie-rap group The Coup. Known for their politically charged, sex positive, and satirical lyrics, The Coup received critical acclaim and moderate commercial success throughout their tenure. Their sixth album, Sorry to Bother You, started life as a screenplay, but with no outlet to turn into a film, Riley turned it into an album. Riley would eventually turn Sorry to Bother You into a feature film, which was released in 2018 and starred LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Steven Yuen, and Armie Hammer. The film received critical acclaim for Riley’s direction and screenplay, the cast's performances, and its timely themes. Since its release, Sorry to Bother You has frequently been hailed as one of the greatest comedies, science fiction films, and overall films of the 2010s. Riley turned to television in 2023 with the Amazon Prime series I’m a Virgo, which also received critical acclaim.

Boots will be making his long-awaited return to feature films with the upcoming sci-fi comedy film I Love Boosters. While plot details are currently under wraps, the film has been confirmed to be about a group of shoplifters taking on a prominent woman in the fashion industry. The film is set to star Demi Moore (The Substance), Keke Palmer (Nope), Taylour Paige (It: Welcome to Derry), Naomi Ackie (Mickey 17), LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González (Andor), Poppy Liu (iCarly), Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3), and Don Cheadle. Distributed by Neon (the studio behind I, Tonya, Parasite, and Anora), I Love Boosters will premiere at South by Southwest on March 12th and will arrive in theaters on May 26th, 2026.