The Simpsons and Loki: Behind the Scenes of the Disney+ Crossover
When The Simpsons joined the Disney+ library, the production team saw a unique opportunity to introduce the iconic Springfield residents to a broader audience. Co-creator and executive producer James L. Brooks proposed a series of short films where the Simpsons would "invade" other Disney+ properties, creating a bridge between the long-running animated series and the platform's diverse catalog of franchises.
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The Development of "The Good, the Bart, and the Loki"
Following the completion of the first short, The Force Awakens from Its Nap, in April 2021, executive producer Al Jean identified the Marvel Studios series Loki as the ideal candidate for the next collaboration. Jean specifically hoped to secure Tom Hiddleston to reprise his role as the God of Mischief.
In June 2021, the project was officially announced as The Good, the Bart, and the Loki. Directed by David Silverman, the title serves as a parody of the 1966 Sergio Leone classic, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Writing and Creative Choices
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the writing process, according to Al Jean, was determining which Springfield residents would embody members of the Avengers. A key creative decision was casting Lisa Simpson as Thor. This served as a reference to Natalie Portman's character, Jane Foster, becoming Thor in the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. Jean noted that the sibling dynamics between Thor and Loki mirrored those of Lisa and Bart Simpson.
The production team aimed for a meta-commentary on Marvel's storytelling style by including a "ridiculous amount" of post-credit sequences for a short that lasts only four minutes. The specific post-credits scene was based on the first episode of the Loki series and was completed in just one week.
While the team hoped to include a cameo by the legendary Stan Lee, Marvel Studios declined the request, stating that they had ceased featuring Lee in cameos following his passing in 2018.
Casting and Voice Production
The short features a blend of MCU stars and veteran voice talent. Tom Hiddleston returned as Loki, recording his lines remotely from England with assistance from Marvel to coordinate his involvement. The core Simpsons cast—Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), and Yeardley Smith (Lisa)—all reprised their legendary roles.
Additional voice work was provided by Maurice LaMarche, who voiced Odin, and Dawnn Lewis, who voiced Ravonna Renslayer.
Key Facts
- Concept: Part of a series of shorts designed to promote The Simpsons on Disney+.
- Director: David Silverman.
- Parody: The title references the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
- MCU Connection: Lisa Simpson as Thor references Jane Foster's role in Thor: Love and Thunder.
- Production Detail: The post-credits scene was produced in a single week.
| Role/Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Executive Producer | Al Jean |
| Director | David Silverman |
| Lead Guest Star | Tom Hiddleston (Loki) |
| Duration | Approximately 4 minutes |
| Platform | Disney+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was this crossover created?
The shorts were suggested by James L. Brooks as a way to promote The Simpsons on Disney+ and attract viewers who might not have been familiar with the series.
Who voiced Loki in the short?
Tom Hiddleston reprised his role as Loki, recording his dialogue remotely from England.
Why is Lisa Simpson Thor in this short?
This was a reference to Jane Foster becoming Thor in the MCU film Thor: Love and Thunder, and to highlight the parallels between the sibling relationships of Thor/Loki and Lisa/Bart.
Did Stan Lee appear in the short?
No. Although the creative team wanted a cameo, Marvel Studios had stopped featuring Stan Lee in cameos after his death in 2018.
How long did it take to make the post-credits scene?
The production team had one week to complete the post-credits scene, which was based on the first episode of the Loki series.