STXFilms and The Jim Henson company are teaming up to produce one of Brian Henson’s passion projects, The Happy Time Murders. The project has been in development for the better part of the year, but has since made some major headway by casting Melissa McCarthy as one of the leads.
The film is set in the underbelly of Los Angeles, where humans and puppets co-exist. When one of the members of the“The Happytime Gang,” a beloved classic puppet show, is murdered, two clashing detectives, one human and the other a puppet, are forced to work together and solve the case.
“Melissa McCarthy is the reigning queen of comedy and we believe she will make The Happytime Murders the kind of hysterical, edgy, viral event that audiences today crave,” said STXFilms chairman Adam Fogelson. “This is the kind of script and material that was made for Melissa’s smart and boundary-pushing sensibilities. Having worked with her years ago on Bridesmaids and Identity Thief, I could not be more delighted or excited to be working with her again.”
Added McCarthy, “When a really good script combines puppet strippers, Los Angeles’ underbelly and comedy, it’s like my fever dream has finally come true.”
“Melissa and Ben’s brand of humor is infectiously unique. I am thrilled to be partnering with them and STXfilms on The Happytime Murders,” said Henson.
Production is expected to commence this August and will be produced by The Jim Henson Company’s Henson Alternative banner, On The Day Productions, and STXfilms with producers Brian Henson, Jeffrey Hayes, Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone.
McCarthy is known for her TV roles in Gilmore Girls and Mike & Molly, as well as for film roles in Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy, The Boss, and Ghostbusters. But she has received you’d be more familiar with her impersonation of U.S. Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live.
