Here's your oddball story of the day. A film based on Jim Henson's popular Fraggle Rock characters has been in the works in various forms for years. It passed through The Weinstein Company and New Regency without getting off the ground, but last year we learned that The Jim Henson Company was anxious to give it another go. With the rights safely back in their hands, they've taken the first big step with Joseph Gordon-Levitt coming on to "dance his cares away".
Levitt will produce and star in a live-action Fraggle Rock film, which presumably will feature all kinds of Fraggles, Gorgs, Doozers, and those "silly creatures" known as humans. The original series ran five seasons on HBO beginning in 1983. There aren't any other details available just yet, including no word on a screenwriter or director, but having Levitt's name on board should make it easier to attract top talent. Here's what he had to say about joining Fraggle Rock and his love of Jim Henson's characters...
“The first screen personas I ever loved were Henson creations, first on ‘Sesame Street,’ and then on ‘Fraggle Rock’. They’re also layered, surprising, and wise. From Oscar the Grouch, to Yoda, to the Fraggles. I’ve never stopped loving his work, even as a young frisky man, and on into adulthood. Collaborating with Lisa Henson makes me confident we can do something that Jim would have loved. I’m grateful and excited to be working with New Regency on this project.” [Variety]
