JOE DIRT Is Coming Back! Fox Is Developing an Animated Sequel Series With David Spade Returning
It looks like everybody's favorite mullet-sporting janitor is getting another shot at making us laugh. As Joe Dirt celebrates its 25th anniversary, David Spade is stepping back into the role that became one of his most recognizable characters. This time, though, Joe's next adventure won't be live-action.
Fox is developing an animated sequel series simply titled Joe Dirt, with Spade returning to voice the lovable optimist while also serving as an executive producer.
The series is being written by Scott Gairdner, who is building the story from the original 2001 Columbia Pictures comedy. The project is a co-production between sibling studios Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment.
The new series catches up with Joe a quarter century later, and while plenty has changed, some things are exactly the same. Joe is still head over heels for Brandy, his legendary mullet is apparently still fused to his skull, and he's hanging onto the upbeat attitude that helped him survive every ridiculous situation life threw at him.
Of course, life hasn't gotten any easier. Joe is now married with three teenage daughters, and the family chaos has only grown. According to the official synopsis:
"It’s now 25 years later, and Joe Dirt (Spade) keeps on keepin’ on. He’s still in love with Brandy, his skull still hasn’t un-fused with the mullet, and most of all, he’s still got his eternal optimism. And he needs it – just because he’s married with three teenage daughters doesn’t mean his problems are over. The messes are bigger, and Joe’s mop and bucket just won’t cut it."
Spade is executive producing alongside Fred Wolf, who co-wrote the original film with him, as well as Gairdner, Doug Robinson, and Lauren Moffat of Sony TV-based Doug Robinson Productions.
This isn't the first attempt to bring Joe Dirt into animation. Back in 2010, Sony Pictures Television developed a separate animated take on the character for TBS. That version was written and executive produced by Spade, Wolf, and Donick Carey, with Robinson serving as executive producer while he was Head of Television at Adam Sandler's Happy Madison.
That project never moved forward, but Joe eventually returned in 2015 with Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser, which reunited Spade and Wolf as writers. The sequel premiered on Sony's Crackle, making history as the first movie sequel produced specifically for a streaming platform.
The original Joe Dirt wasn't exactly embraced by critics when it hit theaters in 2001, but audiences turned it into a cult comedy over the years. Joe's goofy charm, endless positivity, and complete lack of self-awareness helped the movie find a loyal fanbase.
Animation actually feels like a great fit for this character. Without the limits of live-action, the series can lean even harder into the outrageous situations Joe inevitably finds himself in while keeping the heart that made fans root for him in the first place.
Source: Deadline