Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By: MrDisgusting
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While I'm not sure how happy Jim Henson would be about hearing this news, it's still pretty amazing to see The Jim Henson Company head in a darker, more "adult" direction. In fact, decades ago, cartoons and most puppetry were made specifically for adults, with children never in mind. Now Henson is prepping The Happytime Murders, a murder mystery with puppets! Read on for the skinny.
The Jim Henson Co. has picked up a spec that might signal a daring turn into adult territory for the company behind Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear.
"The Happytime Murders" is a comedic film noir murder mystery that will fall under the company's Henson Alternative banner, a division that develops projects not intended for children. Brian Henson is on board to direct.
Written by Todd Berger from a story by Dee Austin Robertson and Berger, the story takes place in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, with the puppets viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an '80s children's TV show called "The Happytime Gang" begins to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet -- with a drinking problem, no less -- takes on the case.
Brian Henson, Lisa Henson and Jason Lust are producing.
Robertson will executive produce.
This would not be the first time that Henson is delving into more adult fare. In 1982, the company made "The Dark Crystal," which featured a dark tone and, in one scene, nudity. But "Happytime" also will have an absurdist and comedic quality to it, comparable to Broadway's "Avenue Q," and will take cues from such movies as "L.A. Confidential" and "Pulp Fiction."
Berger, repped by the Kohner Agency and Kaplan/Perrone, wrote "Epic Proportions" for End Game Entertainment with John Landis directing and is writing the DVD project "Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five" for DreamWorks Animation.
Read 10 User Comments
Sweet! I've always wanted to see something like this. |
I have Dark Crystal and actually watched it recently...can't remember any...nudity. Are you talking about the scene where Chamberlain's robes are taken from him? He wasn't really nude after that.
Also, Henson's creations, even with the Muppets, has always had a slight mature edge. |
It would be an innovative idea unless Peter Jackson didn't beat em' to the punch with Meet the Feebles. You want adult puppet themes? Feebles is your fix. |
Sounds a little too much like Roger Rabbit to me; but with puppets instead toons. |
 | DBlock
2:39pm, October 15, 2008 |   |
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gregg the bunny, the movie? |
I'm down, but I am expecting a Feebles/ Roger Rabbit thing. Boy, Meet the Feebles was awesome. And, yeah, where in Dark Crystal was the nudity? |
Wow sounds great! I love Jim Henson's puppets! |
Wow sounds great! I love Jim Henson's puppets! |
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