The cat was already out of the bag so to speak at Comic Con last summer, but now The Jim Henson Co. (TJHC) officially confirms it is in development on a full-length feature about the Fraggles, stars of the 1980s television show, FRAGGLE ROCK.
The untitled film will take Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red for their first adventure outside of Fraggle Rock, interacting with the strange beings in outer space (also known as humans). Author Ahmet Zappa (THE MONSTROUS MEMOIRS OF A MIGHTY MCFEARLESS) is penning the treatment and will exec produce the project with TJHC co-ceo Brian Henson and Jason Lust. TJHC co-ceo Lisa Henson will produce. Lisa Henson said, FRAGGLE ROCK has remained a favorite project at our company and has certainly continued to be loved by its many devoted fans, so we are thrilled to begin work on this project. With its message of celebrating diversity and its ambitious goal of promoting world peace, now is the perfect time to embark on a new FRAGGLE adventure.
So much of my childhood was spent watching FRAGGLE ROCK I never missed an episode," said Zappa. "Im also really looking forward to using music to tell the story; it played such a central role in the original series and truly helped create the FRAGGLE ROCK that we know and love today.
FRAGGLE ROCK premiered on HBO in 1983 and garnered multiple awards and a global fan following over its five season-run. The show was created by Jim Henson as an international co-production and was adapted for each territory to meet the needs of its audience. The show taught the concepts of mutual respect and peace as the different inhabitants of the Rock (the Fraggles, the Doozers and the Gorgs) showed cooperation and resolved conflicts.
Recently, devoted fans petitioned online for a DVD release of the series. The season one box set exceeded expectations, leading to the successful season two release.
The Jim Henson Co. (www.henson.com) is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and computer graphics for more than 50 years. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets (the rights to which are now owned by The Walt Disney Co.), Henson is the recipient of nearly 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Credits include the Saturn Award-winning FARSCAPE and the features MIRRORMASK, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT and GOOD BOY!. With additional locations in New York City and London, TJHC is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot complete with soundstage, screening room and post-production facilities.
The company is also home to Jim Hensons Creature Shop, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industrys top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. TJHC recently launched Puppet Up!, a live puppet improvisational show that has played to sold out crowds in Aspen, Hollywood and Edinburgh, and announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Hensons earliest sketches.
