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An untitled Fraggle Rock movie has been in development by the Jim Henson Company since 2005.[1] The proposed film will "take Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red on an adventure outside of Fraggle Rock where they will interact with the strange beings in 'outer space' (also known as humans)." [2]
The Weinstein Company has partnered with the Henson Company to distribute the film. Cory Edwards, the writer and director of the 2005 animated film Hoodwinked!, was announced as the writer and director for the Fraggle Rock film in May 2008. Edwards has been describing the ups and downs of the process on his blog, Cory's Curiosities. In mid-2009, Edwards began writing about his frustrations with the project, particularly with the Weinstein Company. In June 2010, Edwards announced that the Weinstein Company is looking for a replacement screenwriter, claiming that he's been told that his script is "not edgy enough."
Early development
In a May 2006 interview, Brian Henson said, "Yes, we are writing a Fraggle Rock movie and trying to pull it together." Henson said that fans should expect the movie "to do something that sort of stands next to the Fraggle Rock series rather than be a continuation of the show." [3]
The Jim Henson Company confirmed in an October 2006 press release that the movie was "in the works". [4] The press release also stated that "the treatment is being written by author Ahmet Zappa (The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless)."
Zappa discussed his plans for the treatment in a December 2006 interview with MTV.com. Zappa said at that time the filmmakers were planning to release the movie in late 2008 or early 2009, and said that "the Fraggles need to be here sooner, rather than later." [5]
Weinstein Co. deal
In May 2008, Henson announced that the Weinstein Company would distribute the Fraggle Rock film. The announcement also said that Cory Edwards, the writer and director of the 2005 animated film Hoodwinked!, was attached as the Fraggle film's writer and director. The press release listed Brian Henson, Jason Lust, Lisa Henson and Eric Robinson as producers, with Ahmet Zappa and Brian Inerfeld as executive producers. [2]
Lisa Henson commented on the partnership: "Our previous partnership with the Weinstein Company has proven to be a wonderful collaboration and we are confident that joining with them on this project will ensure audiences young and old will enjoy meeting Red, Gobo and the whole Fraggle gang. With Cory Edwards directing, this new Fraggle adventure will bring an exciting energy while honoring the heart, joy and hope of the original series." [2]
In the Henson Company press release, Edwards said:
Screenwriter Cory Edwards has been writing about his progress on the film on his personal blog, "Cory's Curiosities".
In March 2009, Edwards discussed the plans for the movie's soundtrack:
He also discussed Henson's concerns about the script:
In June 2009, Edwards wrote about the continuing delays in getting the project greenlighted:
Edwards added that he is currently working on pitches for other movies.
Brian Henson mentioned the Fraggle Rock movie during a panel about Farscape at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009, saying that the movie was "on schedule." [8]
In September 2009, Edwards wrote that he is continuing to have meetings with studio executives and financing partners. While he said "I remain optimistic", he acknowledged frustration with the slow progress of the negotiations. He also clarified that Henson is not the source of the delay:
In December 2009, Entertainment Weekly posted a blurb about the Fraggle Rock movie, quoting Edwards:
In April 2010, Edwards wrote about the production's holdup and once again restated that the script is good and that the Henson Company is not the source of the delay:
In May 2010, Cory Edwards was interviewed by the Muppet Mindset about the Fraggle Rock movie. Edwards mentioned that Karen Prell and Dave Goelz would be reprising their roles as Red Fraggle and Boober Fraggle. He added that most of the cast members were having health problems, which could mean recasting.
In June 2010, Edwards posted on his blog that the Weinstein Company "have begun the search for a new writer, presumably to rewrite my entire script from scratch." Edwards expressed concern and frustration about the process: "This is happening behind my back, without consulting me or even asking my opinion... The only overall note coming from the studio is this: 'Not edgy enough.'"
Rejecting the word "edgy", Edwards declared: "I have said repeatedly that I will do my very best to make this Fraggle movie relevant and modern, to compete with everything else out there. But what I will NOT do is sabotage what made the property beloved in the first place... Perhaps this [blog post] will get the studio to pick up the phone and actually engage me again." [12] Later that month, Edwards reported he had spoken to the company about the script, and was given some changes they had requested.
In July 2010, Edwards was interviewed by YouBentMyWookie.com about the Fraggle Rock movie.
Sources
- β "Jim Henson Company at 50" The Hollywood Reporter, Ray Richmond. September 20, 2005.
- β 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Fraggle Rock is Coming to the Big Screen!" (HTML version), The Jim Henson Company press release. May 12, 2008.
- β "Brian Henson on Dark Crystal 2 and More", Now Playing Magazine, Fred Topel. May, 2006.
- β "THE RUMORS ARE TRUE! Fraggle Rock Feature is in the Works!", (HTML version) The Jim Henson Company press release. October 19, 2006.
- β "Celeb Cameos, New Songs: Ahmet Zappa Says Fraggle Flick Will Rock", MTV.com, Larry Carroll. December 7, 2006.
- β 6.0 6.1 Edwards, Cory. "Big Notes vs. Small Notes", Cory's Curiosities. March 16, 2009.
- β "Pushing the Boulder Up the Hill", Cory's Curiosities. June 29, 2009.
- β Lewinski, John Scott. "Farscape cast, creators reunite to to celebrate DVD - Comic-Con Report", TV Squad. July 25, 2009.
- β "Let the Meetings Play, Down at Fraggle Rock", Cory's Curiosities. September 30, 2009.
- β Collis, Clark. "Get ready to Rock: The Fraggles hit the big screen", Entertainment Weekly. December 4, 2009.
- β "Nagging Questions", Cory's Curiosities. April 28, 2010.
- β "'Edgy' Alert", Cory's Curiosities. June 14, 2010.
External links
- Cory's Curiosities - Cory Edwards' blog