Another Monkey Island? Ron Gilbert Says It’s Complicated

Ron Gilbert has explained why another Monkey Island adventure would be difficult to make: the project would require several major companies to agree on its development, publishing and licensing arrangements.

Gilbert, the series’ creator, is instead pursuing Thimbleweed Park 2 outside the traditional big-publisher model. The sequel to the 2015 point-and-click adventure has been funded by an unnamed wealthy investor, rather than a conventional publishing deal.

Why a new Monkey Island is complicated

The most recent entry was 2022’s Return to Monkey Island, published by Devolver Digital with Disney closely involved. Disney owns the rights to the franchise, meaning any future game would need the company’s approval and participation.

In an interview about Thimbleweed Park 2, Gilbert said Disney had been a positive creative partner on the previous game. However, he also explained that Disney generally prefers working with larger companies and would not deal directly with his independent studio, Terrible Toybox.

Gilbert’s view is that another Monkey Island would probably need an additional publisher, such as Devolver Digital, between Disney and Terrible Toybox. That extra layer is what makes the process “really complicated”.

Disney’s approach to game partnerships

Disney has continued working with outside developers on games based on its properties. Kingdom Hearts 4 received substantial attention at D23, highlighting the company’s comfort with established corporate partners such as Square Enix.

From Gilbert’s perspective, that structure is less straightforward for an independent studio. The challenge is not simply creating another pirate-themed adventure; it is assembling a partnership model that suits every rights-holder and developer involved.

Thimbleweed Park 2 takes a different route

Gilbert also appears dissatisfied with the publishing terms currently available to many independent developers. For his next project, he chose private funding from an unnamed investor instead of signing with a major publisher.

He described the arrangement as fairer, with the investor recovering their money relatively quickly before the proceeds move to a reasonable split. The deal gives Terrible Toybox a different path for making a sequel without adding a large publisher to the project.

Thimbleweed Park 2 is scheduled for release on Windows PC in early 2028. There is no indication that a new Monkey Island is in production or arriving soon.

For players who want to revisit the latest chapter, Return to Monkey Island remains available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

A point-and-click legacy that still matters

The discussion is a useful reminder that a beloved game series can be creatively ready for another instalment while remaining commercially and legally complex. Gilbert’s independent approach may offer more control for Thimbleweed Park 2, but it cannot bypass the ownership arrangements surrounding Monkey Island.

For more updates on classic gaming and the wider arcade scene, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog. If you are building a dedicated retro setup at home, the Arcade Machine Buying Guide can help you compare cabinet formats, while bartop arcades suit smaller Australian living spaces.

What we know

• Latest Monkey Island game: Return to Monkey Island, released in 2022.
• Rights holder: Disney.
• Developer’s next project: Thimbleweed Park 2.
• Confirmed platform and timing: Windows PC in early 2028.
• New Monkey Island status: No new game has been announced.

Gilbert’s comments leave the door open in theory, but they also make clear why fans should not expect a quick return to the series. Until Disney, a publisher and Terrible Toybox can align, the future of Monkey Island remains uncertain.