With The Muppets making it big in theaters last year, it’s safe to assume that Jim Henson’s puppets are back on top. One of the film’s tossed around the most before last year’s success was a adult-themed puppet comedy called The Happytime Murders. While it’s still in development, and trying to make way for a production start, it looks like the film has found it’s leading lady. Not only that, but the first concept art depicts a gritty world, and one that perhaps adult Muppets fans may want to watch.
Katherine Heigl is reportedly in talks to star in the upcoming film, but if there’s any film that could actually make her likable, it may just be this one. This isn’t your typical Heigl rom-com that’s bursting at the seams with cliches and bad storytelling. No, The Happytime Murders seems different. Told from the perspective of main character Phil Philips (seen below), it’s the type of adult entertainment that Jim Henson’s Puppet Up has found on the stage. Perhaps it can find a room on the screen as well.
Collider premiered the following concept art for the film, and as you can see, there’s plenty of live-action roles to go around (click to enlarge):
The name of the place “Vinny’s Puppet Pleasureland” certainly sounds adult-themed. But, if the same spark that many found in the R-rated Team America: World Police can be reciprocated yet again, it should be an easy hit.
In a world where puppets co-exist with humans as second class citizens, puppet private eye and disgraced ex-cop, Phil Phillips, is hot on the trail of the serial killer who murdered his brother and is now targeting the cast members of the famous 80s television show, “The Happytime Gang.” As the killings continue, Phil’s former flame, Jenny, is next on the list. It’s up to Phil and his ex-partner, Detective Edwards, to find the culprit, but as bad blood and old resentments resurface the clues start pointing to the only viable suspect, Phil himself. Now he’s on the run with only his wits and hard headed determination, as he tries to solve, “The Happytime Murders.”
Written by Todd Berger (Kung Fu Panda 2), and set to be directed by Brian Henson (son of Jim), the film currently has no set release date.
