Scrooge McDuck Money: Seth MacFarlane Flirts with New ‘Ted’ Movie and Season 3 Prospects

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The “Thunder Buddies” are far from finished. During a panel at Deadline’s Contenders TV event this past weekend, creator and star Seth MacFarlane dropped a series of bombshells regarding the future of the Ted franchise, hinting that a third live-action season and even a new feature film are on the table—provided the price is right.

The Return to the Big Screen?

While the Ted prequel series on Peacock has been a runaway success, fans have long wondered if the bear would ever return to theaters. MacFarlane confirmed in the interview that he has “flirted with the idea” of a new Ted movie.

Unlike the prequel series, which focuses on a teenage John Bennett (played by Max Burkholder) in the 90s, a new movie would potentially reunite the original adult cast. MacFarlane teased that a project is currently in the “early production cycle” that takes place after the events of the last film, potentially bringing back Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, and Jessica Barth.

Season 3 and the “Scrooge McDuck” Requirement

The success of Ted Season 1 and the high anticipation for the recently wrapped Season 2 (which saw Ted tackling everything from 90s pop culture to Dungeons & Dragons) has Peacock eager for more. MacFarlane expressed a strong desire to keep the series running—potentially for “20 seasons”—noting that because it is character-based, the storytelling possibilities are infinite.

However, there is one major hurdle: The Bear. “It’s only fitting that it all comes back around,” MacFarlane told Deadline, but he was blunt about the financial reality of the show’s CGI. He joked that for Season 3 to happen, Peacock would need to come up with “Scrooge McDuck money” to fund the high-end visual effects required to make Ted look and move realistically alongside his human co-stars.

A Growing Empire

The Ted franchise is currently experiencing a massive resurgence. Beyond the potential film and third season. The series is set for a limited rollout on Netflix in select international territories (including Germany, Italy, and South Africa) starting April 30, 2026.

What’s Next?

While no official greenlight for a third movie or a third season was announced at the panel, the tone was overwhelmingly optimistic. With Season 2 of the prequel series set to hit screens soon, and the “stewardship” of showrunners Brad Walsh and Paul Corrigan receiving high praise from MacFarlane himself, it seems the world hasn’t seen the last of the world’s most inappropriate teddy bear.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.