Co-creator Dan Harmon has confirmed that the upcoming Rick and Morty feature film is currently in active development. The writing process for the movie is being conducted in tandem with the production of the show's ninth season.

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Simultaneous scripting alongside Season 9

The production of the Rick and Morty movie is utilizing a unique dual-track workflow to maximize efficiency. According to the report, Dan Harmon and showrunner Scott Marder are managing the film's script while simultaneously overseeing the production of the series' ninth season . this approach is specifically enabled by the medium of animation, which bypasses many of the logistical hurdles found in live-action filmmaking.

Because animation does not require the coordination of physical actor schedules in the same way a live-action set does, the writing staff has the freedom to "pick away" at the film's script. This allows the creative team to maintain momentum on the television series while steadily building the foundation for a larger cinematic experience.. The report notes that this flexibility provides a significant advantage in managing two major projects at once.

Replicating the Indiana Jones cinematic feeling

Adult Swim boss Michael Ouweleen has indicated that the film will aim for a specific, high-energy tone. Specifically, Dan Harmon intends to capture the sense of adventure found in an Indiana Jones movie, aiming to replicate the feeling of walking out of a classic adventure film. This suggests a shift toward a more structured, high-stakes narrative than the episodic nature of the television show.

The writers are planning to lean heavily into the inherent creative freedom of the Rick and Morty multiverse. Because the show's established logic allows for almost any scenario to occur, the writing staff feels they have the liberty to craft an epic, game-changing story.. The goal is to use this narrative freedom to create a sense of scale that distinguishes the film from the standard weekly episodes.

The unknown choice between theaters and streaming

While director Jacob Hair has already been confirmed for the project, the ultimate distribution platform for the film remains unconfirmed. As the report states, it is currently unclear whether the production will receive a wide theatrical release or if it will be destined for a streaming service. This decision will likely depend on the final scale of the animation and the creative direction taken by Harmon and Marder.

Michael Ouweleen’s accessibility for new viewers

The deelopment of the film includes a specific strategy to attract audiences who may not be deepply entrenched in the show's lore. michael Ouweleen shared that the movie is being designed so that new viewers will not feel the need to have extensively studied the Rick and Morty series to enjoy the experience. This suggests the film may function as a standalone adventure that prioritizes broad appeal over dense, serialized continuity.