Simon Racioppa, the showrunner of Prime Video’s animated series Invincible, recently shared insights into the extensive planning behind the show, which is based on Robert Kirkman’s original comics. After concluding the comic run in 2018, the series debuted its first season in 2021 on Prime Video and has since launched two successful seasons, with the latest finishing just last month. Featuring a talented voice cast, including Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and Walton Goggins, Invincible has garnered critical acclaim and is set to return for a fourth season.
During an interview at WonderCon with ScreenRant, Racioppa discussed the future trajectory of the series. He revealed that he and Kirkman have plans stretching from the show’s inception right through to its conclusion, utilizing the comics as a foundational roadmap. However, he emphasized that, as of now, they are only actively engaging in work for the upcoming season 4. When questioned about the potential for an animated movie, he responded with a hint of optimism: “Anything is possible.”
ScreenRant: How far have you guys plotted ahead when it comes to the show?
Simon Racioppa: Obviously, we have the books as the groundwork of the series. We’ve talked about it all the way to the end, and Robert and I have had conversations about it. But in terms of actually sitting down and starting to do work on it, we’re just doing season 4 right now. Hopefully, we’ll get to do more.
But we’ve had dinner and talked about other parts. Like, “Wait till we get to this part, or wait till we get to that part.”
ScreenRant: Could there be an Invincible animated film coming?
Simon Racioppa: I guess anything is possible, but there’s nothing to report with that.
Implications for Invincible
The Possibility of a Live-Action Film
As indicated by Racioppa, Invincible is currently only confirmed for season 4. Given the comic series’ expansive storyline, the creative team may find themselves needing additional seasons beyond the initial commitment to fully develop Kirkman’s narrative. Racioppa’s optimism for future extensions suggests a readiness to expand the story, particularly following season 3’s critical success. The latest season was well-received, achieving a remarkable 9.9 rating on IMDb, positioning it among the highest-rated episodes ever.
While Racioppa refrained from providing specific news about an animated film, Robert Kirkman has been vocal about progress towards a live-action adaptation. Although concrete developments are yet to materialize, Kirkman expressed a strong belief in the project’s eventual progress, hinting that it would be surprising if it did not happen. Moreover, the series has previously explored standalone episodes, such as the Atom Eve feature, suggesting there are plenty of creative avenues to explore even in the absence of a confirmed animated film.
Our Perspective on the Invincible Developments
The Importance of an Early Renewal
The conversations between Racioppa and Kirkman about the series’ trajectory further heighten anticipation for Invincible‘s future. The structure of the first three seasons benefitted from the knowledge of renewal, allowing for cliffhanger endings and narrative progression that captivates audiences. An early renewal announcement from Prime Video for season 5 would enable season 4 to maintain this artistic freedom, fostering an environment conducive to creative storytelling.