STXfilms, whose Bad Moms was 2016’s highest grossing R-rated comedy, teams with comedic genius Melissa McCarthy in The Happytime Murders, directed by Brian Henson. The announcement was made today by STXfilms Chairman Adam Fogelson and Sam Brown, President of Production for STXfilms, a division of STX Entertainment.
The comedy is set in the underbelly of Los Angeles where puppets and humans coexist. Two clashing detectives, one human and one puppet, are forced to work together to try and solve who is brutally murdering the former cast of “The Happytime Gang,” a beloved classic puppet show.
“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,” said Adam Fogelson. “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.”
Added McCarthy, “When a really good script combines puppet strippers, Los Angeles’ underbelly, and comedy, it’s like my fever dream has finally come true.”
“Melissa and Ben’s brand of humor is infectiously unique. I am thrilled to be partnering with them and STXfilms on The Happytime Murders,” said Henson.
The film is set to begin production this August and will be produced by The Jim Henson Company’s Henson Alternative banner, On The Day Productions, and STXfilms with producers Brian Henson, Jeffrey Hayes, Melissa McCarthy, and Ben Falcone. Lisa Henson and John W. Hyde will executive produce. The story is by Todd Berger and Dee Robertson; the screenplay is by Todd Berger with revisions by Erich & Jon Hoeber; further revisions by McCarthy. STXfilms VP of production Sheroum Kim and creative ex- ecutive Kate Vorhoff are overseeing the production on behalf of the studio. Jeanne McCarthy is serving as casting director on the production.
McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination as well as a BAFTA, and won an MTV Movie Award for her role as Megan in the worldwide smash hit Bridesmaids. She will next be seen starring in the upcoming films Life of the Party, which was written by McCarthy and Falcone and directed by Falcone, and Can You Ever Forgive Me? for director Marielle Heller. McCarthy’s worldwide box-office totals over $1 billion. Her other starring roles include Spy, Ghostbusters, St. Vincent, Identity Thief, Tammy, The Heat, and The Boss. McCarthy won an Emmy for her role as Molly in Mike & Molly, and was nominated for her multiple turns hosting Saturday Night Live.
