John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam are discussing a new project slated for late 2026 that will exclude Eric Idle, as the long-standing friction between the surviving Monty Python members continues.
At the heart of the division is the management of Monty Python’s finances and brand legacy. The feud is largely centered on Eric Idle’s public criticism of Holly Gilliam, the daughter of Terry Gilliam, who took over the group’s management following the stroke of longtime manager Jim Beach. While Cleese, Palin, and the elder Gilliam have remained aligned with the current management structure, Idle has been a vocal critic of the arrangement.
The breakdown in the professional relationship appears to reflect a deep personal distance between the former collaborators. In March 2026, Idle revealed that he has not seen John Cleese in 10 years. This lack of contact has made a full original cast reunion increasingly unlikely, as the group continues to splinter over administrative and personal grievances.
Cleese is currently occupied with his own live performances, performing an 18-date UK tour titled “John Cleese and the Holy Grail” in September 2026. The tour focuses on the legacy of the troupe’s 1975 film but proceeds without the involvement of Idle, further signaling the current “half-reunion” status of the surviving members.
