'Happytime Murders': It's 'Avenue Q' Meets 'L.A. Confidential'

Lionsgate has acquired the rights to Happytime Murders, a comedy/thriller that is being developed by Jim Henson Co. and will be directed by Brian Henson, Jim Henson's son. While news that the Jim Henson Co. is making a puppet movie may sound somewhat mundane, things get more bizarre when you discover the plot of the film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story is as follows:

Happytime 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 with his former human partner. Think Avenue Q meets L.A. Confidential.

It's certainly a new direction for the studio. While The Hollywood Reporter likens the film to Avenue Q and L.A. Confidential, certainly Who Framed Roger Rabbit? also comes to mind. I also see shades of the short-lived and underrated Seth Green sitcom Greg the Bunny. (Or, if you would like me to go even more obscure, I can also bring up the incredibly twisted and best-left-forgotten Peter Jackson film Meet the Feebles.)

This project has reportedly been in the works at Jim Henson Co. since October 2008. It's definitely not a movie I think Jim Henson himself would have ever made, but I think it could work. It's at least something different, which is no small feat in Hollywood these days.

Comments

[Mike Chesnut]

It has some Death to Smoochy overtones, too. I'm intrigued.

[faulty logic]

Is this the script Jason Segal has been working on since Forgetting Sarah Marshall?

[Joel Murphy]

Faulty Logic - No. Jason Segal is working on a Muppet movie, one with Kermit and Miss Piggy and the gang.

[faulty logic]

Hmm... you might want to check the post from October 15 2008.

[faulty logic]

Then again I should read more closely. My apologies.

[Orinn]

I would of thought more Roger Rabbit with puppets, but thats me.