Ben Stiller is set to return in Meet the Parents 4, with the sequel taking a major step forward. Beginning with 2000's Meet the Parents, the tale of Stiller's Gaylord "Greg" Focker and his conflict with his new father-in-law, played by Robert De Niro, has evolved into a $1.13 billion franchise. The franchise's previous movie, 2010's Little Fockers, managed to generate an impressive $310 million at the worldwide box office, despite being panned by critics. Plans for a fourth movie were first announced in December last year.

Per Deadline, Meet the Parents 4 has landed John Hamburg, the original screenwriter, as its new director, replacing Jay Roach, who helmed two of the previous three installments. Hamburg is also set to pen the script, while Roach will still be involved as producer. The new sequel cast will also see the return of original cast Teri Polo and Blythe Danner, alongside Stiller and De Niro.

What A New Director Means For Meet The Parents 4

Hamburg Is Already Well Versed In Stiller's Comedic Brand

Despite its clear profitability, Stiller's last outing in the Meet the Parents franchise disappointed many fans. With reviews for Little Fockers culminating in a dismal 9% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, many critics felt that the previous entry fell well short of the comedic highs enjoyed by the first two movies. By comparison, the original movie earned a near-glowing 85%, which remains the series' best score. Expectations will be high for Meet the Parents 4, particularly when confronted with the question of whether the movie needs to be made at all.

However, with Hamburg being the screenwriter responsible for not only penning the original Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, but also 2001’s Zoolander, he already has a considerable grasp of Stiller’s unique comedic sensibilities. If anyone is capable of course-correcting the franchise, the original writer who helped launch Greg Focker's ongoing struggle with De Niro's Jack Byrnes would be an ideal candidate.

Our Take On Meet the Parents 4 Future

It May Be Best To Take Things Back To Basics

While it is not clear whether Meet the Parents 4 may see the return of Focker’s own parents, previously played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, it may be best that this new movie attempts to play things safe and return to a focus on both Stiller and De Niro’s characters instead. Exactly what momentous new life occasion will instigate their next hilarious misunderstandings remains to be seen, but in going back to the same person responsible for writing the first movies, it is possible that a return to basics may indeed be in the cards.

Source: Deadline