In Development: Henson's Fraggle Rock Movie

[frogboy4]

I can't see a Fraggle film without Junior Gorg so I think they'll find a voice artist who can take him over for the film. I do miss Richard - his menu is up on the MC main page today.

I also think that Jerry Nelson would at least dub Gobo for the film. There's just something so sharp and specific about his voice work (Jim Henson mentioned that too) that cannot be duplicated. They've done an okay job with Floyd, but his replacement's singing on the Green and Red Christmas album seemed so dull by comparison. I hope they get Jerry!

I think Bill Barretta is a performer of Frank and Dave status, but I wouldn't want to hear Cantus sounding like Bobo. I really wouldn't. Maybe if they'd give him fewer lines, have someone else perform him or better yet just have him "play his song" in the background rather than sing. I would like to see him included. Oh...and I need to see Convincing John!

 

[Beauregard]

There may be old voice footage of Cantus that can be reused?

Also, seeing as Dark Crystal is going straight to DVD...I hope that doesn't happen with this movie!

 

[Beauregard]

Yeah, sorry, I should have said DC2, rather than DC. It's going to be a straight to DVD release, according to news on MC today.

 

[dabauckham]

Yeah, sorry, I should have said DC2, rather than DC. It's going to be a straight to DVD release, according to news on MC today.

Check out the thread again, guys, at http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=36132


The notion that DC2 is going straight to DVD is based on one writer's opinion, who heard something at a conference. In response, Nicole Goldman of Henson wrote: "We are thrilled and grateful that fans are so interested in the progress of Power of the Dark Crystal - an especially important project to us that will require great care and attention throughout the production process. A project of this scale takes a lot of time and energy and we continue to work through the development phase, maintaining our original vision of a film for theatrical release that combines traditional puppetry and animatronics with cutting edge CG animation. We'll be sure to keep fans up to date as more information is confirmed."

Note the part I bolded. There's an article here: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Theat...quel-7415.html

Thus, it is still quite possible that both DC2 and the Fraggle Rock movie will be released in the theater.

 

[CensoredAlso]

That statement is slightly confusing. But I think what they're saying is they are still hoping for a theatrical release, but haven't been able to guarantee it yet.

 

[Drtooth]

That statement is slightly confusing. But I think what they're saying is they are still hoping for a theatrical release, but haven't been able to guarantee it yet.

Exactly. All I could say about the news of DC2 being DTV I said to myself... Hubba WHA? I find it a cheat that they can't get DC2 i nto theaters, but the hack who came up with Saw (get it? Hack? Saw? Wocka Wocka Wocka!) can get over 6 films of the same blood porn into theaters, due to a contractual obligation.

If Fraggle the movie isn't in theaters, it will indeed be a total cheat to the fans of the franchise who have been clamoring for a Fraggle Film since the Muppets got 6 theatrical, and Sesame had 2. Fraggle was due for a theatrical release. Lesser films can be DTV.

 

[Beauregard]

Oops...sorry for spreading rumours! I guess, being Beau, being a nay-sayer is in my nature!

 

[Luke]

I think Henson are saying DC2 will probably be direct to dvd, but they are committed to making it exactly the same as if it was a theater release. That was my take on it anyway.

I can see Fraggle being the same. I think the only way they can hope for a theatrical release is if they can get one of the big film studios aboard as distributor, but it probably depends on them believing Fraggle has the same name value as things like Chipmunks. It's also not so much what the brand is, but who owns it. Owning the Muppets gave Henson a lot more access to the big studios but without them, and without any kind of recent track record i think its hard for them - possibly if the Fraggle movie is made in connection with HIT though they might score some kinda movie deal. I think most important thing is to make sure whatever they do (be it theater or DVD) is high quality and not just a cheap knockoff, else they just wreck the memory of the original. Similar things happening with Gremlins 3, which if does happen will probably be CGI and direct to DVD. Ugh!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Whatever happens, an attempt at a movie will never wreck the memory of the original for me. If it's bad, I'll just forget it ever happened.

It's hard to judge right now, some might say Fraggles are gaining some momentum with the DVD releases and all. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Luke]

I think they are gaining momentum, and i think a lot of it is down to the guys at HIT Entertainment. They are such a hot company, it was a genius move to put the Fraggles under them. JHC have always been great at producing things, but haven't always been as strong in the marketing - so its the perfect mix really.