The 'Ghostbusters (2016)' actress will star in the upcoming movie, which will see a puppet and human joining forces to discover the murder of the puppet cast members of TV show 'The Happytime Gang'.
- May 3, 2017
AceShowbiz - Melissa McCarthy has come on board "The Happytime Murders", an edgy puppet comedy from STX. The action comedy will be helmed by Brian Henson, son of "The Muppets" creator Jim Henson and chairman of The Jim Henson Company.
The film takes place in the underbelly of Los Angeles where humans and puppets coexist. In the society, the puppets are considered as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast members of 1980s children's TV show "The Happytime Gang" were killed, an alcoholic, disgraced LAPD detective turned private-eye puppet and his former human partner join forces to discover the murder.
"When a really good script combines puppet strippers, Los Angeles' underbelly, and comedy, it's like my fever dream has finally come true," McCarthy said in a press release.
STX Films Chairman Adam Fogelson added, "Melissa McCarthy is the reigning queen of comedy and we believe she will make 'The Happytime Murders' the kind of hysterical, edgy, viral event that audiences today crave. This is the kind of script and material that was made for Melissa's smart and boundary-pushing sensibilities. Having worked with her years ago on 'Bridesmaids' and 'Identity Thief', I could not be more delighted or excited to be working with her again."
The story is created by Todd Berger and Dee Robertson, while Berger writes the screenplay with revisions by "Red 2" scribes Erich and Jon Hoeber. McCarthy will later further revise the script. The Jim Henson Company has been trying to develop this project since 2008. Rumor has it that Jamie Foxx is eyed to star as the leading role.
"The Happytime Murders" is set to kick off production this August and will be produced by The Jim Henson Company's Henson Alternative banner, On the Day Productions and STXfilms. McCarthy and Henson will serve as the producers alongside Jeffrey Hayes and Ben Falcone. Meanwhile, Lisa Henson and John W. Hyde will executive produce.
McCarthy's next projects include "Life of the Party" and "Can You Ever Forgive Me?". The actress will return to "Saturday Night Live" as the host for the fifth time on May 13.
