Since 2008, fans of the Jim Henson Company have been salivating about “The Happytime Murders,” a decidedly R-rated puppet noir, which, as you might expect, isn’t the easiest thing to get made. But we’re in the post-“Deadpool” era where anything irreverent and filthy seems to have a better chance at going into production, and ‘Murders’ looks like it’s on its way.
Jamie Foxx is in early talks to star in the live-action/puppet movie that will be directed by Brian Henson. Believe it or not, Katherine Heigl of all people was once attached many years ago (but no longer) to this story, set in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, following a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-P.I. puppet who teams with a former human partner to take on the case of a murderer who is killing off the cast of an ’80s children’s television show called “The Happytime Gang” one by one.
It’s a bold concept, and one that could definitely be a winner if given the chance to truly let loose. So let’s hope this long-brewing project finally makes it to the big screen. [Deadline]