Melissa McCarthy is about to kick some puppet ass. Deadline reports that the Oscar-nominated actress has signed on to star in and produce STXfilms’ “The Happytime Murders,” an R-rated puppet movie. Since the film takes place in a world where puppets and humans co-exist, we’re betting the queen of physical comedy is going to have some epic battles with puppets.
Set in the underbelly of LA, “The Happytime Murders” follows two “clashing” detectives, one human (McCarthy) and one puppet. According to the source, they’re “forced to work together to figure out who is brutally murdering the former cast of ‘The Happytime Gang,’ a beloved classic puppet show.” The project sounds destined to be a cult classic.
“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, Chairman of STXfilms. “This is the kind of script and material that was made for Melissa’s smart and boundary-pushing sensibilities.”
McCarthy added, “When a really good script combines puppet strippers, Los Angeles’ underbelly, and comedy, it’s like my fever dream has finally come true.”
Brian Henson (“Sid the Science Kid,” “Muppet Treasure Island”) will direct.
McCarthy’s next big screen projects include “Life of the Party,” a college-set comedy she co-wrote, and Marielle Heller’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” a dark comedy about a journalist who forges letters from late writers and actors. Check out our cross-post explaining why McCarthy is considered such a valuable asset at the box office.
