Disney is teaming up with Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, to create a brand new documentary that is promised as the “definitive portrait” of Jim Henson, the legendary creator of the Muppets, along with well known “Sesame Street” characters like Big Bird and other projects such as “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth”.

The recently formed Disney Original Documentary division is teaming up with Imagine Documentaries to create the project, which is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film.

With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”

Ron Howard will be directing and producing the untitled film, with Grazer and Imagine Documentaries’ Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes producing, along with Emmy winner Margaret Bodde, who has previously worked on “George Harrison: Living in the Material World“.

Also executive producing the documentary is Imagine Entertainment’s Michael Rosenberg and Disney Original Documentary’s Marjon Javadi. Mark Monroe will serve as writer-producer on the film and Paul Crowder will serve as editor-executive producer.

In a statement, Ron Howard said:

“Jim Henson transcends generations through his iconic characters, and it’s one of the many reasons why I have been a lifelong fan. I can’t wait to share a side of him and his career that people have never seen before. Henson’s limitless imagination and restless creativity is like few others and has influenced so much of our world as we know it. I’m humbled to be able to share a deeper look into his life and story.”

The Henson family also said in a statement:

“The Jim Henson Company’s archive is a treasure reflecting our father’s work, personal life and inspirations, and has been carefully maintained for the last 30 years under the leadership of archivist Karen Falk. It will be thrilling to see the story that emerges from these materials in the hands of a truly great filmmaker like Ron Howard, who has the perfect spirit and personality to tell Jim Henson’s story.”

The documentary is being produced for “The Disney Original Documentary banner will largely produce and acquire content for Disney+, as well as the suite of Disney Channels, with more announcements coming soon,”

No release date has yet been announced for the project, nor has it been confirmed if this will be released exclusively on Disney+ or if it will have a theatrical run first.

Marjon Javadi, VP of Disney Original Documentary said in a statement:

“Jim Henson has impacted our culture for generations, and his creative legacy continues to live on,” “As iconic storytellers in their own right, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes are the best auteurs to share Jim Henson’s story with the world. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at Imagine Documentaries and the Henson family on this undoubtedly inspirational film.”

No release date nor distribution plan for the film has been announced.

What do you think of Disney creating a new documentary on Jim Henson?

Source – Deadline

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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