AceShowbiz - Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon has officially confirmed that a new Rick and Morty movie is in development, revealing that longtime series director Jacob Hair will lead the project. The announcement comes just ahead of the much-anticipated debut of Rick and Morty season 9 on Adult Swim, which is set to premiere in summer 2026.

The animated series, which first launched in 2013, has steadily grown into one of Adult Swim's flagship shows and has recently been renewed through season 12. While fans have eagerly speculated about a potential movie, Harmon has now verified the film's production, following a report by Jeff Sneider. The movie will be directed by Jacob Hair, who has been a key creative force behind many episodes and serves as the supervising director for season 9.

Dan Harmon praised Hair’s talents, stating, "Jacob Hair is the director. I mean, we didn't shop around. He is an absolute - to say rock star is honestly feels like trivializing it, because that implies some kind of flash in the pan, kind of exciting. Jacob has it, came onto our team. It was like adding a pillar to it." This endorsement highlights Hair’s integral role in shaping Rick and Morty’s distinctive style and storytelling.

Showrunner Scott Marder also credited Hair’s influence on the quality of season 9. He remarked that if fans respond positively to the new episodes, much of that success would be due to Hair’s work as supervising director. Harmon added that from the earliest discussions about the movie, it was always intended that Hair would helm the film. He compared Hair to a creative polymath, saying, "the director version of Donald Glover in that I don't know if there's a limitation to what he can do; we haven't found it yet."

Jacob Hair joined the Rick and Morty team in season 4, directing three episodes during that time. Now, after five additional seasons, both Harmon and Marder are confident that Hair is well-equipped to lead the new movie. Hair’s directing credits extend beyond Rick and Morty and include work on other animated series such as King of the Hill, American Dad!, and Milo Murphy's Law.

While Hair’s involvement and the decision to keep the movie animated—maintaining the TV show’s signature style—have been revealed, other details remain tightly under wraps. It is not yet clear whether the Rick and Morty movie will receive a theatrical release similar to The Simpsons Movie and The Bob's Burgers Movie, or if it will debut exclusively on Adult Swim or HBO Max streaming platforms.

This announcement also coincides with ongoing industry changes, particularly the planned merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. Although Harmon and Marder appear optimistic about the film’s progress, the evolving corporate landscape could potentially influence the movie’s development timeline or distribution strategy.

Despite these uncertainties, fans of Rick and Morty can be assured that the movie is a concrete project actively moving forward. The franchise has continuously expanded beyond the main series, encompassing a wide range of related content including Rick & Morty: The Anime, the spin-off Vindicators 2: Last Stand Between Earth and Doom, short films, comic books, and video games. This movie marks the latest major expansion of the Rick and Morty universe.

As anticipation builds for season 9, which premieres on Adult Swim on Sunday, May 24, viewers will also be able to stream the new season starting June 15. Additionally, a spinoff series centered on Keith David’s character, President Curtis, is expected to arrive later in 2026, further broadening the franchise’s reach.

For those eager to stay informed about the movie’s production, director confirmations, and creator insights, subscribing to dedicated newsletters and following official updates will provide timely and accurate coverage of all developments related to the Rick and Morty movie and series.

In summary, Dan Harmon’s confirmation of the upcoming Rick and Morty movie, with seasoned director Jacob Hair at the helm, ensures that fans have exciting new content to look forward to in the near future. As the franchise continues to evolve and deliver fresh stories, the movie represents a major milestone for this beloved animated sci-fi saga.