‘Meet the Parents’ Sequel in the Works at Universal with John Hamburg Returning to Direct

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Mar 28

Robert De Niro (left) and Ben Stiller in 'Meet the Parents.' **COURTESY OF EVERETT COLLECTION**

The Focker family is back—awkward tension, in-laws, and all. A new sequel is officially moving forward, reuniting the creative team behind the iconic comedy franchise.

Universal Pictures has announced development on a new sequel in the Meet the Parents franchise, with original screenwriter and Meet the Fockers director John Hamburg set to return behind the camera. The film, currently untitled, will serve as a direct follow-up to the events of 2010’s Little Fockers and reunite core members of the cast—including Ben Stiller as Greg Focker and Robert De Niro as the ever-suspicious Jack Byrnes—for a new chapter in the long-running comedy saga.

According to early plot details, the sequel will shift focus to Greg’s now-teenage children as they enter the world of dating, college prep, and independence—prompting new rounds of family chaos and a fresh clash of parenting philosophies. While De Niro’s Jack has mellowed with age, the return of old habits—and overbearing surveillance tactics—looks inevitable. The project is being developed under Universal’s comedy slate with Hamburg both writing and directing, reuniting with longtime collaborators to recapture the series’ original charm and modernize its generational tension.

The Meet the Parents trilogy, which began in 2000 with the hit Jay Roach-directed original, became one of the most successful comedy franchises of the 2000s, grossing nearly $1 billion globally across three films. Known for its awkward humor, interrogation scenes, and unforgettable “circle of trust” dynamic, the series has remained culturally relevant, frequently cited as one of the few studio comedies to spawn a commercially successful trilogy in the pre-streaming era.

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Stiller and De Niro are both expected to serve as producers, and while no release date has been confirmed, sources suggest that production could begin in late 2025. Universal is eyeing the project as a multigenerational comedy event, with an ensemble cast expected to include returning faces like Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, and possibly Owen Wilson as the laid-back ex-fiancé Kevin.

While details on tone and casting remain under wraps, insiders promise a grounded approach that balances slapstick with emotional maturity. In an era of reboot fatigue, Universal seems confident that the Meet the Parents formula still has comedic legs—especially when filtered through the lens of modern family structures and teenage angst. The question now is: can Greg survive round four?