Cory Edwards is hard at work writing the screenplay for The Weinstein Co’s upcoming Fraggle Rock movie, and has completed almost 50-pages of his first draft based on an extensive 17-page studio approved outline.
“[The outline] is the product of many meetings with the Henson and Weinstein folks, and has every little story beat we could think of,” writes Edwards on his blog. “The outline as been picked at, beat up, and shot at for any major problems. So now I have the freedom to lock myself in my laboratory and create, knowing that I am working from a road map that everyone has signed off on.”
And while Edwards is contractually obligated not to reveal any story points, he does mention an action scene, something not common in the original Henson-produced television show.
“I’m having a lot of fun. I just finished my first action scene (yes, there WILL be action scenes!), and am cracking some decent jokes. It’s hard to create jokes for Fraggles, since they have no pop culture references whatsoever. That’s probably a good thing… that means I have a better chance of creating a timeless movie (If I see one more cute iconic character ruined by “Shrekking It Up” for easy jokes, I’m going to go postal).”
The lack of pop-culture jokes gives me a little hope. I wasn’t a fan of Edwards’ 2005 animated film Hoodwinked! And it’s strange that Edwards takes a stab at the pop-culture obsessed comedy of Shrek since his last film was very much in the same vein. Edwards has also assured fans that the film will use “Real puppets on real sets with live actors.”
“It’s my goal to do everything the “old school Muppet way.” I do believe there are many Henson fans who would have my head on a platter if I attempted anything else. If it is possible to do something physically, on set and “in camera,” we will do it. But it’s also fair to say that I will use today’s effects to enhance or help any scene. I will just keep asking myself, WWJD? (”What Would Jim Do?”)”
The film will be music heavy and will feature a lot of original songs. Rumor has it that the storyline will involve the Fraggles going into “outter space” (aka above ground) to rescue Traveling Matt. Edwards confirms that the Fraggles (he promises ”Gobo, Red, Wembley, Boober, Mokey and Uncle Matt will be in it”) will encounter the human world, and the idea is based off a story idea that “Henson always wanted to do.”
“I have come up with an original take based on that. There will be elements of a classic fantasy ‘quest’ movie with some traditional high-energy Muppet hijinks thrown in. My goal is to make this more than just a “cute” movie that occupies a kid’s attention span for 90 minutes. And the movie will not simply be a feature-length version of a Fraggle TV episode. It will deliver much more. I want to create something that will stay true to the spirit of the original show, but also go way beyond it. This is going to be a big fantasy adventure film that stands up to anything else at the multiplex today. Everyone involved in this project wants the same thing.”
