Oh, and that’s not all. You see, Jim Henson’s Muppet spinoff show Fraggle Rock is apparently coming back… as a live-action movie musical. Harvey Weinstein actually told Variety that this project was, in fact, the reason why he and brother Bob ever ditched Miramax: "One of our main priorities when we first launched the Weinstein Company was to feature a broad range of family-friendly franchises like Fraggle Rock." Uh huh, sure, Harvey. Could there be more of a shoo-in for that "unnecessary sequels and remakes" post from last night?
Perhaps not. On the other hand, I did love me some Fraggles in my youth. So how could this movie be salvaged? I’m going to go ahead and hope that by "live-action," they mean they’ll have actual human actors in elaborate Fraggle make-up, just for the kitsch factor. (The New York Observer had a similar idea, but somehow they got from there to thinking Carrot Top should be involved in this movie, which is too upsetting to discuss further.) Either way, I think we’re safe as long as this movie focuses on those adorable Fraggles and Doozers — and don’t forget that enormous talking pile of refuse! — rather than any random newly-introduced human characters. Also, the musical numbers should all be written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, since they are proven Oscar gold. I leave this challenge in your hands, Weinstein Co.! In the meantime, do any of you think this movie could possibly turn out to be watchable?
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I’m hoping by “live action” that they mean real Muppets and not the Saturday-morning Muppet Babies animation. Heck, I think there was actually an animated Fraggle Rock series as well… sigh. Let’s turn Marjorie the Trash Heap into a Compost Pile to update it for the 2000s…
OMG
Is this the new muppet movie I heard rumblings about..or is that another flick starring Gonzo, Kermie , Piggy and the gang( possible title? No Country for Old Muppets)
I’d like to second the OMG – I frakkin’ LOVE Fraggle Rock!!! But please can we just use the puppets? They’re the best, and the idea of humans dressed as fraggles is slightly terrifying.
The answer is no. Since the untimely demise of Jim Henson, the Muppets have completely lost their charm, and I would be willing to bet that the Fraggles won’t escape that curse. There’s just no way this is going to be any good.
i agree that this won’t be any good and might ruin the fraggles for me. i love fraggle rock. still do. it’s great. to come up with catchy music and stories on such a regular basis was great.
i hope they don’t put people in fraggle suits. that would be horrendous.
i understand a new muppet movie. i love the muppets. and i hope they can resurrect them somehow (after garbage like the muppet wizard of oz it’s tough). but I just don’t have a good feeling about this. i don’t trust the weinstein company to do this justice.
“Dance your cares away! Worries for another day! Let the music play! Down at Fraggle Rock!”
It’s a 80’s retro piece. If the film is executed properly it will work, and the kids will enjoy it too. However, let’s just hope that the film will be 10 times better than Alvin and the Chipmunks.
My exact reaction: “WHAT???????”
Thanks a lot. Another piece of my childhood shattered beyond repair.
Doesn’t “live-action” just mean that it’s not animated? They’d still use puppets, wouldn’t they?
Yay Fraggles! Yay Jim Henson! This has great potential as long as it is written well. I am thinking the Fraggles and such will remain Muppets and the remaining characters will be actors. I thinking something along the lines of the Muppet Movie. That would be cool!
They should just use the puppets. I like the cute puppets. Or…just not make the movie. I like that better.
This will be good! It’s fraggle rock! there’s no way it cant
I can’t see how they’d screw this up. It’s a simple enough concept. My kids loved this show back in the day, though I found it a bit boring. So they’ll have to do something visually interesting to captivate the ‘whole family’. I just hope they don’t compromise the characters and stick to the spirit of the original show. And please, no toilet humor.
Just get Convincing John! He’ll get them to film it right!
Doozers!! Yay!!!
Wow! There is a great show! But please puppets and no humans. Fraggles rock!
And another piece of my childhood dies.
There was an animated version of Fraggle Rock produced. I’m pretty sure by “live action” they are meaning the use of puppets and not people in makeup. I think this also references that the bulk of the story may take place in “outerspace” (the real world) as opposed to in the Rock where most of the TV series took place. Think a 90 minute version of an Uncle Traveling Matt segment.
Im so excited for Fraggle Rock. this is awesome!
Don’t worry. As one of the last projects still owned by The Henson Company, they won’t let it drown.
Especially even moreso since this show is so beloved the world over. As such, Jerry Nelson, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, and Karen Prell WILL return to reprise their roles as The Fraggle Five: Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober (and possibly Uncle Matt), and Red.
The only problem would arise if Cantus and Convincing John (Jim’s characters) or Junior Gorg (Hunt’s principle character) appear, because their performers are no longer with us.
But, let’s not lose hope, for even if the movie fails, the original series is forever a treasured classic and so, we have it to look back upon with fondness and love.
[url=http://www.gosdin.net/rebound/fraggle/dance%20your%20cares%20away%20(ending).mp3]“Dance Your Cares Away…Down At Fraggle Rock!”[/url]
I stress this highly….Don’t worry. As one of the last projects still owned by The Henson Company, they won’t let it drown.
Especially even moreso since this show is so beloved the world over. As such, Jerry Nelson, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, and Karen Prell WILL return to reprise their roles as The Fraggle Five: Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober (and possibly Uncle Matt), and Red.
The only problem would arise if Cantus and Convincing John (Jim’s characters) or Junior Gorg (Hunt’s principle character) appear, because their performers are no longer with us.
But, let’s not lose hope, for even if the movie fails, the original series is forever a treasured classic and so, we have it to look back upon with fondness and love.
“Dance Your Cares Away…Down At Fraggle Rock”: http://www.gosdin.net/rebound/fraggle/dance%20your%20cares%20away%20(ending).mp3
It’s good! rolex watch?
luxury watch?