Tyler Perry Plans to End Madea Franchise

The Madea era is coming to an end with a stage tour and final film, Tyler Perry’s a Madea Family Funeral.

Tyler Perry made the official announcement during a Sirius XM talk on Monday, clarifying,“I just don’t want to be her age [still] playing her.” Madea, who was 68 when she was first presented in front of an audience 20 years back, has been the most focused character in Hollywood—showing up in many movies, TV shows, and theater creations. Her movies alone have earned over $500 million around the world.

The producer uncovered that he and his cast wrapped production on Madea Family Funeral, clearly the last film in the arrangement, two years ago; the plot includes a family gathering, a homecoming to Georgia, and a surprising memorial service. The poster shows Madea in funeral entire with her head tilted down. The movie producer, who debuted the character in front of an audience in I Can Do Bad All By Myself, did not uncover whether the memorial service was for Madea herself or somebody else. The stage show and film finale, a slick 20 years after Madea’s debut, appears to be marketed correctly. Perry kidded that Madea did not know she was being written off, deadpanning, “Don’t tell her.”

The upcoming film will also mark the end of the deal between Perry and Lionsgate. The producer inked a deal with Viacom that will have him producing content across television, film, and short-form video platforms.