Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Set to Produce a Documentary on Muppet Creator Jim Henson
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are teaming up with Disney to develop a documentary on Jim Henson, the legendary creator of the Muppets. The doc is said to give us a “definitive portrait” of Henson. Howard will direct the film.
The project is being developed with “the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family.” It will “present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”
This is really cool! I’ve been a fan of Henson ever since I was a kid! His characters and stories played a huge part of my childhood. Not only with the Muppets, but also films such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. I’m excited to learn more about the man behind these creations in this documentary.
The doc will trace “his life and work” and “will follow how the brilliant innovator came to shape the childhoods of generations to come.” Henson died in 1990 at age 53.
Ron Howard said in a statement, “Jim Henson transcends generations through his iconic characters, and it’s one of the many reasons why I have been a lifelong fan. I can’t wait to share a side of him and his career that people have never seen before. Henson’s limitless imagination and restless creativity is like few others and has influenced so much of our world as we know it. I’m humbled to be able to share a deeper look into his life and story.”
Henson’s family commented, “The Jim Henson Company’s archive is a treasure reflecting our father’s work, personal life and inspirations, and has been carefully maintained for the last 30 years under the leadership of archivist Karen Falk. It will be thrilling to see the story that emerges from these materials in the hands of a truly great filmmaker like Ron Howard, who has the perfect spirit and personality to tell Jim Henson’s story.”
Marjon Javadi, VP of Disney Original Documentary said, “Jim Henson has impacted our culture for generations, and his creative legacy continues to live on,” said Javadi, VP of Disney Original Documentary. “As iconic storytellers in their own right, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes are the best auteurs to share Jim Henson’s story with the world. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at Imagine Documentaries and the Henson family on this undoubtedly inspirational film.”
Mark Monroe will serve as writer-producer on the film and Paul Crowder will serve as editor-executive producer. Monroe and Crowder collaborated with Howard previously on the documentaries Pavarotti, and The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years.
No release date nor distribution plan for the film has been announced.
Source: Deadline