Optioned Properties

Jim Henson Pictures has purchased many scripts and book rights over the years. Many have been announced, but few have made it to fruition or even went beyond the option stage.

2007 slate

In January 2007, the Jim Henson Company announced its latest slate of optioned properties on their website; the announcement was temporarily removed and then reposted in February. Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, and Jason Lust were announced as producers of all three projects The current status of the following titles is unknown.

• The Boggart

A 1993 book by Susan Cooper. The story centers on a Canadian family who inherit a Scottish castle. The title character is a spirit who haunts said castle. Brian Henson was announced as director. No news has surfaced since the initial announcement

• The Doubtful Guest

The 1957 illustrated book by Edward Gorey, focusing on an unwanted, penguin-like creature. Brad Peyton and Matthew Huffman were announced as director and screenwriter, respectively. In April 2007, an announcement was made that Walden Media was expected to co-produce the film, with 20th Century Fox as distributor. No news has surfaced since.

• Monster Blood Tattoo

A planned fantasy trilogy by D. M. Cornish; only Foundling had been published at the option time, with Lamplighter released in May 2008 and Factotum, the last book in the seires which would be realeased in 2010. The series is set in a Victorian realm called the Half Continent and centers on an orphan who becomes apprenticed to a monster bounty hunter. As of the 2007 announcement, no writer or director was attached. No news has surfaced beyond the initial press release.

Past Properties

The following projects were never developed even so far enough to qualify as an "unfinished project," listed in chronological order

• Astro Boy (1999)

A puppet version of the Japanese series.

• Borgel (1992)

Daniel Pinkwater book about a 110-year-old Jewish time-traveller and his dog who are on a quest to find The Great Popsicle.

• Mr. Popper's Penguins (1995)

Based on the 1938 children's book by Richard and Florence Atwater

• The Bear Went Over the Mountain (1996)

Based on the 1996 novel by William Kotzwinkle

• Camping Out (1996)

A supernatural thriller

• Dick King-Smith books (1996)

After the success of Babe in 1995, Henson Pictures optioned five more of author Dick King-Smith's books about animals: The Cuckoo Child, Daggie Dogfoot, George Speaks, Martin's Mice, and The Waterhorse. Walden Media and Columbia Pictures eventually gained the rights for The Waterhorse, releasing the picture in 2007.

• Fish Tale (1996)

A story about five children who go on a fishing trip in the Mississippi to catch a fabled giant fish.

• Miss Potter (1996)

An autobiographical film about the life of Beatrix Potter

• Oh! The Places You'll Go! (1996)

A live-action version of the 1990 Dr. Seuss book

• The Trouble with Angels (1996)

A remake of the 1966 Rosalind Russell/Hayley Mills film

• Untitled Ricky Jay Project (1996)

JHP contracted with magician Ricky Jay, the star of a successful Broadway show, "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants," and author of the best-selling book Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women.

• The Dark is Rising (1997)

Based on the 1973 fantasy novel by Susan Cooper, about an 11-year old boy who discovers that he's part of a group of immortals dedicated to fighting the forces of evil.

• The King of Elves (1997)

• Learning to Fly (1997)

A movie about a flock of ostriches who teach a chicken to fly.

• Martian Holiday (1997)

A sci-fi romantic comedy about an alien who manipulates time to help a busy Earth couple fall in love

• The Millers (1997)

A film about an All-American family who get bitten by a vampire.

• Neverwhere (1997)

Based on the 1997 fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman (which was based on the BBC miniseries) about a man who becomes embroiled in the intrigues of London Below.

• Miss Picket (1997)

A movie about a nanny who's endowed with special powers.

• Switchers (1997)

An Irish children's novel by Kate Thompson, in which a boy and a girl who can change into animals fall in love while trying to save the world from destruction.

• Valiant (1997)

A movie by Beakman's World producers Jim Dublin and Paul Zaloom about a secret society of nuclear-powered cars.