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Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp is a standalone sequel with little narrative ties to the 2017 film, making it watchable on its own. Different filmmakers, cast, and characters in the sequel contribute to the confusion of viewers recognizing it as a follow-up to the original. The change in distributors between the two movies, with the sequel being exclusively on Netflix, further disconnects the two films, leading to confusion among viewers.

Premiering on the platform on April 12, 2024, Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp is a Netflix Original movie that most fans are unaware is a sequel to 2017's Woody Woodpecker. There are several reasons for the confusion, but first, a synopsis is in order. Directed by Jonathan A. Rosenbaum, Woody Woodpecker Goes To Camp finds Woody evicted from his natural forest habitat. Upon arriving at Camp Woo Hoo, Woody befriends a group of children and helps them save their beloved summer camp from...

From 3Qu Media and Vanguard Films, the new animated superhero feature "Fe@rless", directed by Cory Edwards, stars Yara Shahidi, Miles Robbins and Dwyane Wade, now streaming exclusively on Netflix:

"...a teen gamer is forced to level up to full-time babysitter when his favorite video game drops three superpowered infants from space into his backyard..."

Click the images to enlarge...

With theaters open in 44 of the 50 states, cinemas are finding something to show — although turnout is still so modest that distributors are still being hesitant about what to release. That means another week in what’s now going on five months of the industry’s pivot to streaming releases, with a fresh batch of respectable lower-profile offerings.

Netflix continues to lead the pack with options, releasing four new features (that we know of), including the superhero-esque movie “Project Power,” a sci-fi thriller about a drug that gives ordinary folks special abilities … for about five minutes. Apple TV Plus paid top dollar at Sundance for “Boys State,” and as soon as you see it, you’ll understand why: The documentary, about a Texas mock-government program for teens, captures all the rowdiness and idealism of the long-running event — offering a virtual glimpse into what can happen when young minds come together in person to share their ideas,...

From 3Qu Media and Vanguard Films, the new animated superhero feature "Fe@rless", directed by Cory Edwards, stars Yara Shahidi, Miles Robbins and Dwyane Wade, streaming exclusively on Netflix August 14, 2020:

"...a teen gamer is forced to level up to full-time babysitter when his favorite video game drops three superpowered infants from space into his backyard..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Exclusive: Cory Edwards, whose credits include the big-grossing 2005 animation Hoodwinked! and the upcoming Netflix feature Fearless, has been attached to write and direct sci-fi animated comedy Doomstar: Janitorial.

The $20-25M project comes from Vanguard Animation, which is behind Fearless as well as recent features Gnome Alone and Charming, alongside Dneg Feature Animation, the production offshoot of the Oscar-winning VFX studio that was set up at its parent company in 2014.

Here’s the logline: Gabe is a lowly janitor on a powerful space station. When his own planet becomes the next target, Gabe and his blue-collar buddies attempt to sabotage the whole place. Aliens will chase them. Robots will taser them. But there’s nothing these guys can’t clean up.

“This one is special. It’s a script I’ve been working on for a long time, something I’ve wanted to make for several years,” said Edwards. “It...

Cedric Babouche directing French-German-Belgian co-production, which starts summer 2018.

London-based sales outfit Sc Films has unveiled its latest family animation feature, At The Ark At 8 (3D), which is based on the famous biblical tale.

The project comes from producers Maia Tubiana of Ellipsanime and Bettina Morlock of Now Films, who previously collaborated on French animation Titeuf, Le Film. It is set to be directed by Cedric Babouche, whose credits include 2014 animation Houdini and 2005 Cannes winning short Imago.

UK outfit Sc Films is introducing the project to buyers at this week’s European animation forum Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. The company’s slate includes The White Fang,...

Have you ever wanted to watch Joseph Gordon-Levitt to sing and dance with a host of Jim Henson creations? Because if that was some weird dream of yours, you hit the nail right on the head, and could probably be a studio executive with that kind of mind.

Variety reported on Thursday that Gordon-Levitt will produce and star in a live-action Fraggle Rock movie. The site adds that the bigscreen adaptation of the musical puppet series created by the late Jim Henson has been in the works for nearly a decade, but the attachment of Gordon-Levitt constitutes a major boost.

Fraggle Rock debuted on TV in 1983 as a co-production by British TV company Television South, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., HBO and Henson Associates. It centered on the adventures of cave-dwelling creatures called Fraggles who have to deal with the industrious Doozers and furry giants called Gorgs.

Henson’s oldest son,...

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has signed on to both star in and produce Fraggle Rock: The Movie, nearly three and a half years after New Regency picked up the rights back in October 2011. The project has been in various stages of development for nearly a decade, with The Jim Henson Company first announcing the feature film back in October 2006. We last reported on the adaptation in October 2012, when screenwriters James Ward Byrkit and Alex Manugian signed on to write the screenplay.

It isn't immediately clear what role Joseph Gordon-Levitt will play in Fraggle Rock: The Movie quite yet. The actor will produce alongside The Henson Company's Lisa Henson. Here's what Joseph Gordon-Levitt had to say about Fraggle Rock: The Movie in a statement.

"The first screen personas I ever loved were Henson creations, first on Sesame Street and then on Fraggle Rock. Jim Henson's characters make you laugh and sing, but they're also layered,...

The history of the "Fraggle Rock" movie has been a bumpy one. Cory Edwards ("Hoodwinked!") tried to make one at The Weinstein Company, but said back in 2010 that he was "struggling to stay in control of my own movie" and that the studio wanted to hire a new writer to make the movie "edgier." A year later, his iteration was pretty much scrapped (and we presume the involvement of the Scissors Sisters doing the music). Then in late 2011, New Regency took on the troubled property and hired some writers, but nothing much came of it and things went quiet for a couple of years. Last fall, word quietly emerged that "Fraggle Rock" was back in the hands of The Jim Henson Company and the movie was on track again. And indeed, it certainly is. Variety reports that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will produce and star in a live-action "Fraggle Rock," with New...

First time I wrote about the possibility of a "Fraggle Rock" movie was back in 2006 when The Jim Henson Company officially announced a full length feature based on the stars of the 1980s HBO television show was in development with Ahmet Zappa working on the screenplay. Nothing happened ended up happening with that project, though two years later The Weinstein Co. picked up the rights to the live-action musical feature and brought on Hoodwinked director Cory Edwards to write and direct. Once again, nothing came of it. Now, here we are, seven years later and we are talking about the Fraggles yet again as it seems they just won't go away. This time around it's Joseph Gordon-Levitt on board to produce and star in the live-action "Fraggle Rock" movie for New Regency, The Henson Co. and Lisa Henson. The attachment of an actual star certainly gives the project far more...

In a seven-figure deal, Wrekin Hill Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to Christian De Vita’s 3D animated feature “Yellowbird” from TeamTO and Haut & Court, the company announced Monday. Based on fantastic artwork by Benjamin Renner (“Ernest and Celestine”), “Yellowbird” features the voices of Seth Green, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Elliott Gould, Jim Rash and Christine Baranski. Antoine Barraud and Guilhem Lesaffre wrote the currently-in-production movie with Cory Edwards (“Hoodwinked”), and Wrekin Hill will release the film in theaters this fall. Also Read: Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet to Voice Pets in Animated Movie From ‘Despicable Me...

Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of the family film Escape from Planet Earth. This fantastic, comedy- adventure crosses all galaxies to entertain the entire family with an all-star vocal cast including Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, William Shatner, George Lopez, Craig Robinson, Sof&#237a Vergara, Jane Lynch, Steve Zahn, Chris Parnell, Brendan Fraser, Rob Corddry and Ricky Gervais.

In Escape from Planet Earth, Planet Baab's most celebrated space traveler, Scorch Supernova (voiced by Brendan Fraser), is a global hero whose interplanetary exploits are televised for the enjoyment of his ardent fans. With the help of his brainy brother Gary (Rob Corddry), head Basa Mission Control, Scorch has become a legend, winning the love of beautiful television reporter Gabby Babblebrock (Sof&#237a Vergara) and the devotion of Gary's hero-worshipping son Kip (Jonathan Morgan Heit).

When Basa's no-nonsense chief, Lena (Jessica Alba...

Weinstein Co's has a new exclusive clip from Escape from Planet Earth with the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen script the film helmed by Brunker which opens in theaters on February 14th, Luke Carroll and Catherine Winder produce. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s...

Weinstein Co's has a new exclusive clip from Escape from Planet Earth with the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen script the film helmed by Brunker which opens in theaters on February 14th, Luke Carroll and Catherine Winder produce. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s...

Weinstein Co's released new clips from Escape from Planet Earth, featuring the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker directs from the script by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen. Escape from Planet Earth opens in theaters on February 14th, and is produced by Luke Carroll and Catherine Winder. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s no-nonsense chief Lena...

Weinstein Co's released new clips from Escape from Planet Earth, featuring the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker directs from the script by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen. Escape from Planet Earth opens in theaters on February 14th, and is produced by Luke Carroll and Catherine Winder. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s no-nonsense chief Lena...

Escape from Planet Earth has added a buffet of character posters for the animated sci-fi film which features the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker helms from the writing by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Bob Barlen and Brunke with a release date of February 14th, 2013, aimed at parents and kids over the Valentine's Day window. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an Sos from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects...

Escape from Planet Earth has added a buffet of character posters for the animated sci-fi film which features the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker helms from the writing by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Bob Barlen and Brunke with a release date of February 14th, 2013, aimed at parents and kids over the Valentine's Day window. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at Basa. When Basa’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an Sos from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects...

Loudest, slimiest and coolest blue guys are here to present the upcoming 3D computer animated film Escape From Planet Earth, which opens next month! In other words – we have two completely new TV spots for the hilarious comedy that will catapult us all to planet Baab where we’ll meet a national hero to the blue alien population – astronaut Scorch Supernova and his friends!

Directed by Cal Brunker, who also co-wrote the script with Bob Barlen, Tony Leech and Cory Edwards, the movie centers on Scorch Supernova, a beefcake space hero who defends his planet, Beeb, against the nefarious villain Shanker.

Escape From Planet Earth features voices of Brendan Fraser, Rob Corddry, Jessica Alba, James Gandolfini and Sarah Jessica Parker, and as we said – The Weinstein Company will release the movie on February 14th, 2013.

A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy,...

The Weinstein Company returns to the world of animation next month to bring us Escape from Planet Earth, the animated adventure-comedy that should be fun for all the family.

We caught the first trailer back in November last year, and with its Valentine’s Day release fast approaching, the studio have released the first two TV spots.

“Escape From Planet Earth, a CG-animated comedy, will be in theaters on February 14, 2013.

In Escape From Planet Earth astronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an Sos from a notoriously dangerous alien planet.”

The voice cast is made up of a pretty impressive ensemble, headed by Brendan Fraser, Craig Robinson, Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Shatner, George Lopez, Jane Lynch, Sofía Vergara, and Rob Corddry.

Cal Brunker is making his feature directorial debut, having worked as an artist on films as big as Despicable Me, Horton Hears a Who!

Escape from Planet Earth which features the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba, has a second poster. Also in the voice cast of the animated family sci-fi comedy/adventure from Weinstein Co., are Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker directs from a script by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Bob Barlen and Brunker. The film opens in theaters from February 14th, 2013, offering an option for parents wishing to spend Valentine's Day at the movies with their kids. From what I've seen in the first trailer, it looks way better than I would have thought after seeing the initial poster. I'll be taking my children to this one. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues,...

Escape from Planet Earth which features the voice talents of Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba, has a second poster. Also in the voice cast of the animated family sci-fi comedy/adventure from Weinstein Co., are Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, William Shatner, George Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Rob Corddry. Cal Brunker directs from a script by Tony Leech, Cory Edwards, Bob Barlen and Brunker. The film opens in theaters from February 14th, 2013, offering an option for parents wishing to spend Valentine's Day at the movies with their kids. From what I've seen in the first trailer, it looks way better than I would have thought after seeing the initial poster. I'll be taking my children to this one. The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues,...

With an all-star voice cast led by Brendan Fraser, Rob Corddry, James Gandolfini, and Jessica Alba, Escape from Planet Earth is shaping up to be a promising animated adventure-comedy in the New Year.

Due out on Valentine’s Day in the Us, the first trailer has debuted over at Yahoo Movies, giving us our first good look at the film and its animated characters.

“Astronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an Sos from a notoriously dangerous alien planet.”

Cal Brunker is making his feature directorial debut, having worked as an artist on films as big as Despicable Me, Horton Hears a Who!, and 9, with the script penned by Cory Edwards and Tony Leech (Hoodwinked!).

Sarah Jessica Parker, Jane Lynch, and the ever-brilliant Craig Robinson complete the cast nicely, making for a great ensemble for the voices.

The film will be facing some tough competition at the box office,...

Books have been a mainstay in Hollywood's never-ending search for film ideas, and while the adage "you should read the book" will never leave the mouths of frustrated moviegoers, a few more tomes have been picked up for film adaptation. As usual, there may be a few who are disappointed.

Young Adult fans might be familiar with author Libba Bray's "Gemma Doyle Trilogy," but probably less so with her upcoming "The Diviners." Set for release in September, "The Diviners" is the first of what will be a four-part series that will follow Evie O'Neill, a young New York transplant, who must use her mysterious powers to stop a series of occult-based murders. Since the book has yet to be published, we're sure that there's not many who will be bummed that their favorite book might get compromised on its way to the big screen. Still, those eventual fans might...

The 1970's children's "I Can Read" books "Frog and Toad" are heading for a big screen animated adventure. Jim Henson Co., the company that created The Muppets and all their films, will make the movie. Craig Bartlett, the creator and writer of the kids TV series "Dinosaur Train" and "Hey Arnold!", is writing the screenplay. Hoodwinked! writer-director Cory Edwards will helm. "Frog and Toad' author Arnold Lobel's children Adrienne Lobel and Adam Lobel will produce.

What this means is that the silver screen will soon be hopping with toads since at least two Mr. Toad movies are in development (Wind in the Willows and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride).

Source: Variety...

Hoodwinked's Cory Edwards will take up directorial reins, with Dinosaur Train creator Craig Bartlett set to oversee screenplay

It's a movie about anthropomorphic amphibians from the company famous for bringing The Muppets to our screens, but there's not so much as a flash of Kermit the frog to be seen. The Jim Henson Company is preparing to adapt the children's books Frog and Toad for the multiplexes, according to Variety.

There are four instalments in Arnold Lobel's series, published between 1970 and 1979 and still hugely popular with children. All focus on the title characters, a friendly frog and his rather more curmudgeonly toad friend. Lobel, who died in 1987, wrote and illustrated each of the books.

"Frog and Toad has tremendous value with parents who read these charming stories when they were children and are now sharing them with their own kids," said Lisa Henson of the Jim Henson Company.

While we’re pleased to see the Jim Henson Company continuing to expand its filmmaking horizons, the team’s latest announcement does have us worrying whether Kermit – heretofore the company’s most famous amphibian actor – will throw a diva fit at the news. Because the new Henson project is an adaptation of children’s books series Frog And Toad. Originally written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel in the 1970s, the books chronicle the exploits of a pair of web-footed friends who are, less-than-shockingly, a frog and a toad. The book’s tales are easy-to-comprehend slice-of-life stories, with the pair flying a kite, cleaning a house and arguing about the shortcomings of string theory. All right, maybe not the last one.Craig Bartlett, a man no stranger to writing for a younger audience (he’s worked on Us kids’ shows such as Dinosaur Train, Sid The Science Kid and Hey Arnold!

Parents everywhere, rejoice! The Jim Henson Company just announced that they have gained the rights to develop an animated feature film adaptation of the beloved children’s series Frog and Toad.

Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, the Frog and Toad series focused on the adventures of two best friends, a frog and a toad named… Frog and Toad. The books were originally published in the 1970s, each containing five short stories detailing a new exploit involving the two title characters.

Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, on the new project (via ComingSoon):

“‘Frog and Toad’ has tremendous value with parents who read these charming stories when they were children and are now sharing them with their own kids. [...] With such high caliber talent on board, the delightful and funny adventures of these two great friends–with a nod to the classic ‘buddy movie’–will bring a...

The Jim Henson Company has acquired rights to the beloved children’s books Frog And Toad and is developing an animated feature film. Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel in the 1970s each of the four Frog And Toad books include five short stories chronicling the exploits of a frog and his friend, a toad, simply named Frog and Toad.

“Frog And Toad has tremendous value with parents who read these charming stories when they were children and are now sharing them with their own kids,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “With such high caliber talent on board, the delightful and funny adventures of these two great friends–with a nod to the classic ‘buddy movie’–will bring a whole new audience to their big screen debut.”

Lisa Henson will produce for The Jim Henson Company. Adam Lobel and Adrianne Lobel will executive produce. Craig Bartlett (“Dinosaur Train” and “Hey Arnold!

The Jim Henson Company has acquired rights to the beloved children's books Frog and Toad and is developing an animated feature film. Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel in the 1970s, each of the four Frog and Toad books include five short stories chronicling the exploits of a frog and his friend, a toad, simply named Frog and Toad.

"Frog and Toad has tremendous value with parents who read these charming stories when they were children and are now sharing them with their own kids," said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. "With such high caliber talent on board, the delightful and funny adventures of these two great friends--with a nod to the classic 'buddy movie'--will bring a whole new audience to their big screen debut."

Lisa Henson will produce for The Jim Henson Company. Adam Lobel and Adrianne Lobel will executive produce. Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!) will...

For people of a certain age, the in-development Fraggle Rock movie is the latest in a long-line of cherished childhood relics that are being pulled out, dusted off, and refurbished for the 21st century.

The Jim Henson Company announced its plans for a Fraggle Rock film adaptation back in 2005. A year later, Ahmet Zappa (co-writer on this summer’s Odd Life of Timothy Green) was hired to pen the script treatment; in 2008, the Weinstein Company signed on as distributor, with writing and directing duties on the project assigned to Cory Edwards (Hoodwinked!). Some time thereafter, the Weinsteins went on the prowl for a new screenwriter, after dubbing Edwards’ draft as not being “edgy” enough.

Cut to the present and New Regency now owns the rights to the Fraggle Rock movie. The latest report from ...

Click to continue reading ‘Rango’ Duo Hired to Write ‘Fraggle Rock’ Movie...

After years spent in development purgatory (everyone from Ahmet Zappa to "Hoodwinked" writer/director Cory Edwards have worked on the project, from as far back as 2006), it finally looks like the "Fraggle Rock" movie, based on the beloved Jim Henson series, will make it to the big screen. Last year New Regency got the project going again, and just yesterday the Hollywood Reporter revealed that a pair of screenwriters have been secured – Jim Byrkit and Alex Manugian, who both worked on last year's Oscar-winning animated western "Rango."

Byrkit received a story credit on "Rango," alongside director Gore Verbinski and credited writer John Logan (he also worked as a storyboard artist for the film). In fact, Byrkit has done design work for Verbinski on all three of the filmmaker's 'Pirates of the Carribean' movies (and provided illustrations for Verbinski's big screen debut, "Mousehunt"). This year, he also wrote and directed an...

Down on Fraggle Rock, there have been plenty of fits and starts about the movie version of "Fraggle Rock."

First announced back in September of 2005, a feature film version of "Fraggle Rock" -- the cult children's television series created by Jim Henson that ran from 1983 to 1987 -- was supposed to hit theaters in 2009. As you'll notice, that never happened, but not for a lack of trying.

Ahmet Zappa was hired in 2006 to write the script for the "Fraggle Rock" movie, which would have been a musical. In 2008, The Weinstein Company picked up the rights to "Fraggle Rock" and hired Cory Edwards to write it as a feature-length musical. In 2011, New Regency picked up the rights from The Weinstein Company with the hopes of bringing the felt creatures the big screen. Now, finally, that version of "Fraggle Rock" has a writing team: Jim Byrkit and Alex Manugian, who co-wrote "Rango" together.

Down on Fraggle Rock, there have been plenty of fits and starts about the movie version of "Fraggle Rock."

First announced back in September of 2005, a feature film version of "Fraggle Rock" -- the cult children's television series created by Jim Henson that ran from 1983 to 1987 -- was supposed to hit theaters in 2009. As you'll notice, that never happened, but not for a lack of trying.

Ahmet Zappa was hired in 2006 to write the script for the "Fraggle Rock" movie, which would have been a musical. In 2008, The Weinstein Company picked up the rights to "Fraggle Rock" and hired Cory Edwards to write it as a feature-length musical. In 2011, New Regency picked up the rights from The Weinstein Company with the hopes of bringing the felt creatures the big screen. Now, finally, that version of "Fraggle Rock" has a writing team: Jim Byrkit and Alex Manugian, who co-wrote "Rango" together.

New Regency has inked a deal with James Ward Byrkit and Alex Manugian to write the upcoming big screen adaptation of Fraggle Rock: The Movie.

The original series followed a group of cave-dwelling puppets called Fraggles. In their lives are a race of small industrious creatures named Doozers, who live in the caves, and the Gorgs, furry giants who look at Fraggles as nuisances.

The Jim Henson Co. and the Montecito Pictures are producing.

This project is still in early development.

Fraggle Rock: The Movie comes to theaters in 2015. The film is directed by Cory Edwards.

Update: Two years have passed and things are completely different for the Fraggle Rock movie. It's now at a different studio, New Regency. They've hired writer Jim Byrkit and voice over artist Alex Manugian, both from Rango, to write the script. They wrote the upcoming Disney movie Fleeced. The Jim Henson Co. and Montecito Picture Co. are making the movie.

"Fraggle Rock" was a hit musical kids TV show that aired on HBO in the 1980s that featured singing muppets named Fraggles who live in a cave with other muppet races, the small industrious Doozers and giant furry Gorgs who don't like the Fraggles.

Source: THR

June 15, 2010 -- Happy little "Fraggle Rock" may be getting the Batman Begins treatment: The Weinsten Company is reportedly looking to hire a new writer on the script for the movie adaptation of HBO's '80s muppet TV show that will be "edgier." Fraggle Rock...

Smosh, the banner by which BFFs Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla have been entertaining online video audiences and Pokemon enthusiasts since YouTube’s inception, has amassed over 1.3 billion views and over 4.5 million subscribers on the world’s largest video sharing site in the past six years. That’s one heck of a fan base. Hecox, Padilla, Smosh-owner Alloy Digital, Smosh President and Alloy Digital Evp Barry Blumberg, and the world’s largest video sharing site believe that fan base wants to watch cartoons in addition to the familiar erratic comedy and user-driven reality stylings of two talented young twentysomethings. Shut Up! Cartoons is Smosh’s soon-to-debut animated YouTube channel, which is one of the 96-or-so that make up the first round of the YouTube Originals Initiative. It was conceived of by Blumberg, who, before joining the Smosh team back in 2006, was responsible for the development and production of notable...

Since 2005 we've been hearing rumours about a possible Fraggle Rock feature film from The Jim Henson Company, and although it has always seemed a bit hard to imagine, now that a new Muppets movie is about to hit theatres somehow it doesn't seem quite so crazy anymore. A few years ago, The Weinstein Company came on board as a distributor and hired director Cory Edwards (Hoodwinked!) to helm it. However, they have since let the rights lapse and now the project has changed hands. According to Deadline, New Regency have now acquired the rights to the Fraggle Rock movie -- yes, the same folks behind the wildly successful Alvin & The Chipmunks movies. But what does this mean for Cory Edwards and his vision of the film? At this point, even he doesn't know. Edwards had been struggling to get the project made for years but was met with much resistance from The Weinsteins.

Can New Regency succeed where The Weinstein Company (gave up) and eventually failed? We'll soon see, as the rights to the long developing "Fraggle Rock" expired over at Harvey's house, with Deadline revealing that New Regency has picked up the reins in a project that is now starting over from scratch. The journey of "Fraggle Rock" to the big screen hasn't been an easy one. Writer/director Cory Edwards has been very vocal about his frustrations in working with the Weinsteins in adapting the beloved TV show. In the summer of 2010, he said " I am struggling to stay in…...

Jim Henson's hit '80s puppet TV series Fraggle Rock has been on the verge of moving to the big screen for several years. The Weinstein Company [1] had the rights, a director [2], and a distinct vision [3] of what they wanted, but years passed with very little movement [4] save for a few scattered rumors [5]. Deadline is now reporting the rights to the series reverted, were shopped around Hollywood, and went to the highest bidder: New Regency. They're the same company currently swimming in cash thanks to another Eighties family TV show turned film franchise: Alvin and the Chipmunks. Maybe "another day" is finally here. Read more after the break. According to Deadline [6], there's no word if Fraggle Rock will be developed as a live action puppet movie, such as Disney's upcoming The Muppets, or with CG characters, such as the Chipmunks films. Once that decision is made (one would guess...

Fraggle Rock For me Fraggle Rock was my reason for waking up as a kid and being ready for school. I'd shuffle out of bed, rocking my Batman slippers and head straight to the television set. Wipe the sleep from my eyes, dip into my delicious Grape Nuts and enjoy the puppet spectacle. A film version has been in talks for quite some time since the show went off the air in 1987, lasting four seasons. The Weinstein Company was the last company to close in on the property. They had even gone out and hired Corey Edwards to write and direct Jim Henson's beloved show, but nothing ever materialized. Exclusive: New Regency today acquired rights to turn the Jim Henson series Fraggle Rock into a feature film. The property was shopped and caught the interest of studios, before New Regency made the deal for a film that will be...

It is unclear at this time if Fraggle Rock will land on the big screen in its original incarnation, with popular characters Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red appearing as puppets. Or if New Regency, who recently acquired the rights to the property, will turn it into a live-action CGI mix, like their popular franchise Alvin and the Chipmunks, which continues this December with the third film Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked.

New Regency acquired the property rights to Jim Henson's popular HBO family show yesterday, which originally ran for five seasons starting in 1983. The film has long been in the planning stages, and now, it will finally move forward.

Fraggle Rock revolves around a group of rock dwelling creatures who come in contact with human beings. They are at first believed to be aliens. There is no set start date for this potential family film franchise, but it...

It wasn't that long ago that the chances of a Fraggle Rock movie making it to the big screen were dead (or at least mostly dead). The Weinstein Company had hired screenwriter Corey Edwards to write and direct the flick, but that version finally just whimpered out, leaving many to wonder whether the company would bother trying to mount a new version. Apparently that answer is no...but that doesn't mean no one else would. Deadline is reporting that New Regency has acquired the movie rights to Fraggle Rock, and the Fraggles have a pulse once more (do Muppets have pulses?). Given all the buzz that the upcoming new Muppet movie is generating, it's no surprise that somebody finally snatched up the Fraggle rights again. While Fraggle Rock was never as popular or widely known as the Muppets, it's still a beloved Jim Henson property, and Hollywood loves it some...

Talk of a Fraggle Rock movie has been bouncing about for some time now. The last time we heard news on the proposed movie adaptation of Jim Henson’s long-running puppet-based HBO series, it appeared that Jake Shears and Babydaddy of The Scissor Sisters were being brought in to pen songs for the Weinstein Company, which was developing the project with Hoodwinked writer/director Cory Edwards …to little avail. But now Deadline has announced that New Regency has bought the rights for Fraggle Rock at auction, with no further mention of the Weinsteins or Edwards.

The Jim Henson Company and the Montecito Picture Company are set to produce the film, helping New Regency, the studio behind In Time and Love & Other Drugs, expand the kid-friendly side of their business, which got a jump start with the Alvin & The Chipmunk movies. It may be Regency’s involvement in the latter that...

Chicago – Rarely has a theatrical kids movie been more of a complete disaster than “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,” recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. The film was such a train wreck that it sat on the shelf for years and was unceremoniously dumped in theaters in early 2011 with nearly no marketing and no promotion. The film barely crested $10 million at the domestic box office (only 20% of the original’s take) and I feel sorry for those paying customers. This is a truly soulless, horrendous piece of animated filmmaking, one of the worst films of 2011.

Blu-Ray Rating: 1.0/5.0

Synopsis:

“The good … the bad … the Twitchy. The sequel finds our heroine, Red (Hayden Panettiere), training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But Red is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nick Flippers (David Ogden Stiers), the head of the super secret Happily Ever After Agency,...

Chicago – In our latest comedy/animation/family edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, we have 10 DVDs up for grabs in advance of the home entertainment release of “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil” with Hayden Panettiere!

“Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil” debuted on DVD on Aug. 16, 2011. The film also stars Glenn Close, Patrick Warburton, Martin Short, Amy Poehler, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, David Ogden Stiers, Cory Edwards, Brad Garrett, Andy Dick, David Alan Grier and Phil Lamarr from director Mike Disa and writers Cory Edwards and Todd Edwards.

To win your free “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil” DVD courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.

“Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil” debuted on DVD on Aug. 16, 2011.

Image credit: The Weinstein Company

Here is...

The Hoodwinked franchise hasn't really managed to take off like a lot of other animated ventures, and that's something of a shame really, because both films deliver for the target audience. We've gotten to a point in the theatrical release world where, because there have been so many releases that work wonderfully for both children and adults, that all films have to in order to be given a fair share of credit. I think it's gone wrong there really.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, let's face it, isn't especially entertaining for adults. It plays the game to a certain degree, with a few lines that aren't really going to make sense to the youngest audiences, but it's actually geared fully toward younger humor and/or sensibilities, with the main laughs by way of crashing or falling, and the story spelled out rather simplistically.

Why that should necessarily be counted as a negative is somewhat confusing,...

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil has arrived on Blu-ray and DVD from Anchor Bay. I had the chance to watch the sequel for the first time today and here is my review. This movie has some redeeming elements, but it is also a little bad too.

Here is the story overview:

The sequel finds our heroine, Red (Hayden Panettiere), training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But Red is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers (David Ogden Stiers), the head of the super secret Happily Ever After Agency, aka the Hea. A wicked witch (Joan Cusack) has abducted two innocent children, Hansel (Bill Hader) and Gretel (Amy Poehler), and Nicky needs the whole Hoodwinked gang -- Red, Granny (Glenn Close), the ever-clueless Wolf (Patrick Warburton) and his over-caffeinated little partner, Twitchy (Cory Edwards) -- for the search and rescue mission.

The Movie Pool fractures the fairy tale Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs. Evil on DVD!

DVD Specs

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 anamorphic

Running Time: 87 minutes

Rating: PG

Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Spanish

Special Features: The Voices of Hoodwinked Too, Music Videos: Hayden Panettiere "I Can Do It Alone," Lavay Cole "You Know It," CeeJ "Perfect Two," Storyboards, Production Artwork, Game Trailers.

The Set-up

After Hansel and Gretel are kidnapped by a mysterious witch, Red Riding Hood and the Happily Ever After Agency go on a rescue mission.

Director: Mike Disa

Screenplay: Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards, Tony Leech and Mike Disa

The Delivery

I think I can best describe Hoodwinked Too by quoting a much better children's film, The Wizard of Oz. This animated sequel is a "clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk." Rather than relying on a story with some sort of theme or moral,...

Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Agent 8 3/4 (1964)

Directed by: Ralph Thomas

Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Sylva Koscina, Robert Morley

Synopsis: Unemployed Czech-speaking writer Nicholas Whistler thinks he’s got a job visiting Prague for a bit of industrial espionage. In fact he is now in the employ of British Intelligence. His pretty chauffeuse on arrival behind the Iron Curtain, Comrade Simonova, is herself a Czech agent. Just as well she’s immediately attracted to 007′s unwitting replacement. [highdefdigest.com]

Special Features: Unknown.

Armed And Dangerous (1986)

Directed by: Mark L. Lester

Starring: John Candy, Eugene Levy, Meg Ryan, Robert Loggia

Synopsis: Dooley, a cop wrongly sacked for corruption, teams up with a useless defense lawyer in their new careers… as security guards. When the two are made fall guys for a robbery at a location they are guarding, the pair begin to investigate corruption within the company and their union.