A 'Family Guy' movie has been talked about for years now but with the success of 'Ted' at the box office (over $215 million and counting) creator Seth MacFarlane says it's not so much if we're going to get a 'Family Guy' movie but when. And the when looks like it could be soon.

MacFarlane spoke with students at UCLA primarily about his upcoming gig hosting the 2013 Oscars but eventually the discussion turned to 'Family Guy' and when we'll see the adventures of the Griffin family on the big screen. And the question was met with an enthusiastic response from the show's creator. Says MacFarlane:

We do know what the 'Family Guy' movie will be. 'The Simpsons' movie, I thought, was hilarious, but the one criticism I would have is that it’s a story they probably could’ve done on TV. There could’ve been an episode that had that plotline. That’s the challenge with animation. You pretty much can do any story you want, so what is the reason for the movie? We finally hit on the answer to that question, and it will be something that would be impossible to do on TV.

MacFarlane wouldn't tell the audience anything about the 'Family Guy' movie plot but it certainly sounds as if he is planning on taking the 'Family Guy' on one direction: an R-rating. Pretty much everything else you could do with 'Family Guy' you could do on Fox so it seems like MacFarlane is looking not to emulate 'The Simpsons Movie' but more 'South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut' (and considering the latter was nominated for an Oscar, that might be a smart choice).

The problem with the 'Family Guy' movie (the same problem 'The Simpsons' writers had) is finding the time to make the movie while also making the TV show (and while MacFarlane is seemingly working on 'Ted 2,' a project Universal is excited about). So while it may be a few years off still, it seems the 'Family Guy' movie will finally find its way to the big screen.