BIG NEWS: GET YOUR FRAGGLE ON


I’m pleased to announce that I have just finalized a deal to write and direct 

You can read the big Variety article here. Aside from getting the main character’s name wrong, it’s fairly accurate.
This is a very exciting project that has been anticipated by fans for a long time, and I am pleased and honored to be the guy to make it happen. I will be working closely with The Jim Henson Company and The Weinstein Company to bring this live action feature to the big screen. This will be a major theatrical release which will introduce the Fraggles to a new generation of fans.
Now let me answer your immediate questions:

Q: Will these be the real puppets and not some CGI animated thing?
A: Yes. Real puppets on real sets with live actors. It’s my goal to do everything the “old school Muppet way.” I do believe there are many Henson fans who would have my head on a platter if I attempted anything else. If it is possible to do something physically, on set and “in camera,” we will do it. But it’s also fair to say that I will use today’s effects to enhance or help any scene. I will just keep asking myself, WWJD? (“What Would Jim Do?”)

Q: Will there be music?
A: Lots of it. Everyone has always anticipated this to be a musical adventure. I’ve always felt that some of the best moments of the Fraggle series are when they all break into song. Songs will all be new original ones, created just for the movie. 
Q: What is the plot?
A: A secret. Okay… all I can say is that the Fraggles have to solve a murder committed by drug smugglers posing as art collectors… no, wait a minute. That’s the plot of Beverly Hills Cop. What’s actually true is that the Fraggles will encounter the human world for the first time. This was the idea Henson always wanted to do, and then I have come up with an original take based on that. There will be elements of a classic fantasy “quest” movie with some traditional high-energy Muppet hijinks thrown in.
My goal is to make this more than just a “cute” movie that occupies a kid’s attention span for 90 minutes. And the movie will not simply be a feature-length version of a Fraggle TV episode. It will deliver much more.
I want to create something that will stay true to the spirit of the original show, but also go way beyond it. This is going to be a big fantasy adventure film that stands up to anything else at the multiplex today. Everyone involved in this project wants the same thing.
Q: Will all the original characters be in the movie? You’d better put (name of character here) in the movie or I will go insane and storm the gates of the Jim Henson Studios.
A: First of all, don’t take this so seriously. And second of all, if you dare storm the Henson lot, hundreds of animatronic goblins from the movie Labyrinth will pummel you. I can’t promise which characters from the Fraggle series will end up in the movie. I can only promise that Gobo, Red, Wembley, Boober, Mokey and Uncle Matt will be in it. 
I will have more to blog about as I move into the writing process. I have already begun the script and am having a blast. I couldn’t be happier to work on such a dream project. The Muppets were a major creative touchstone for me growing up, and it’s an honor to help carry on the Jim Henson legacy.

More Fraggle News soon!
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 4:00 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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