Recently, a buzzworthy rumor emerged claiming that the beloved Sims gaming franchise is on its way to becoming a feature film titled The Sims, allegedly starring Dave Bautista and Reese Witherspoon. The first announcement came from the Facebook account YODA BBY ABY on April 23, 2025, which captured the attention of fans of the franchise.
“THE SIMS MOVIE!!! DARK COMEDY!!! Step into The Sims, a darkly hilarious tale where bodybuilder Max (Dave Bautista) and homemaker Lila (Reese Witherspoon) uncover a chilling truth — they’re trapped in a simulated reality controlled by a chaotic teen gamer,” the caption read.
“As glitches tear Simsville apart and meteors loom, the duo fights to rewrite their code, blending Director Parker Finn’s eerie tension with laugh-out-loud absurdity. Will they break free, or remain pawns in a pixelated nightmare?”
This post quickly gathered momentum, with over 16,000 reactions and nearly 5,000 comments and shares within two days, further fueled by an alleged promotional poster featuring the two stars against a vibrant animated background. Despite the viral nature of the post, it has been confirmed that this claim is unfounded.
There is currently no verified information supporting the involvement of Bautista or Witherspoon in a film adaptation of The Sims. While a movie has been in the works, the official announcement was made in September last year.
It’s worth noting that the YODA BBY ABY Facebook page is known for its satirical content, often creating humorous and exaggerated stories for entertainment’s sake. Their bio clearly states:
“I’m just here to eat frogs, lift rocks, and be satirical. The page is 100% satire and fake news.”
Thus, the rumor suggesting a The Sims film featuring Bautista and Witherspoon can safely be considered debunked.
Margot Robbie to Produce an Authentic Sims Film
In September 2024, EA announced a collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios to bring a cinematic rendition of The Sims to life. While details remain scarce, updates are expected in 2025 to coincide with the franchise’s 25th anniversary. Kate Gorman, EA’s VP, revealed that the idea for a movie took shape after witnessing the success and cultural zeitgeist surrounding the 2023 Barbie film.
“It’s very much rooted in The Sims universe. And what we want is to have a truly authentic ‘Sims’ experience brought to a theatrical release. So, what you’ll see from us is that we have been wanting to get this right. We wanted the right partners and to make an impact the size of something like a Barbie movie,” Gorman stated.
She further emphasized, “We want this to be an experience that reflects all that amazing history and play of so many people in this world, but also is something that you can share across generations and to be part of pop culture and culturally relevant.”
Gorman also expressed an understanding of the nostalgia associated with the game which informs their approach to development. Plans are in place to incorporate beloved in-game elements that have resonated with players, such as the iconic “pool without a ladder” and “Freezer Bunnies.”
In the production of the film, Margot Robbie’s company, LuckyChap Entertainment, is set to take the reins, with Kate Herron directing and co-writing alongside Briony Redman. However, specific information regarding casting and the release date remains undisclosed.
Interestingly, back in 2017, writer and filmmaker Brian Lynch had previously shared a script for a live-action adaptation of The Sims, featuring a young protagonist whose actions in the game mirrored events in reality. That project garnered interest from both EA and Fox Studios but ultimately fell through when Disney took over Fox in 2019.
“There would have been famous people, playing themselves, walking around the town and in the school. That would have been cool. But the leads would all probably have been unknowns, which I think also added to the reasons Fox didn’t make it,” Lynch reflected during a May 2024 interview with The Guardian.
Concerns have also surfaced among fans regarding how a Hollywood adaptation might impact the integrity of the beloved series. First released in early 2000 by Will Wright and developed by Maxis, The Sims has sold over 200 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 22 languages. Its latest expansion, The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies, was launched in March 2025.