It’s been 17 years since The Simpsons last released a video game for consoles, but this year’s Treehouse of Horror gives fans of the show a glimpse into a bloody fighting game they’ll never get to play. Animator Jorge Gutierrez, writer and director of the 2014 animated film The Book of Life, contributed an opening sequence that recasts the famous animated family as the bizarre stars of Los Simpsons Fighter.
Gutierrez redesigned several of Springfield’s residents in his signature style, depicting the Mortal Kombat-inspired Fatality that Marge and Lisa would perform on Snake. While Bart showed more mercy towards his idol, Krusty the Clown, the fusion of Maggie and Homer finally led to Mr. Krusty the Clown joining together as one monster. It backfired on them in their battles with Burns and Smithers. Gutierrez also referenced The Book of Life with guest appearances in Xibalba and La Muerte.
“I’ve been a huge Simpsons fan since Bart first appeared in my beloved Tijuana in the classic Kamp Krusty episode,” Gutierrez told Variety. “I am forever grateful to (executive producer) Matt Selman and (creator) Matt Groening for the honor of directing this passionate (and bloody!) animated love letter to the show that gave me the dream of producing comics one day. Now I “You can die with a big smile on your face.”
Thanks to the recently concluded World Series, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XXXV will continue the tradition of premiering after Halloween. The annual special premieres this Sunday, November 3rd on Fox. One of this year’s segments features Homer wearing sentient jeans as a Venom spoof.
