Muppets In Space (lost early drafts of "Muppets From Space" sci-fi family film; 1999): Difference between revisions
PinkaSketch (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{InfoboxLost |title=<center>Muppets From Space</center> |image=Muppets_From_Space_Poster.jpg |imagecaption=The film's theatrical poster. |status=<span style="color:red;">'''L...") |
PinkaSketch (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
||
Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
Originally, the film was going to be a sci-fi parody titled Muppets ''In'' Space, which was reminiscent of Star Wars. The plot would have involved Kermit getting kidnapped by an alien race after being mistaken for their long-lost leader, prompting the rest of the primary Muppets cast (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, etc.) to go into space in an attempt to rescue him.<ref>[https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Muppets_in_Space The original plot] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> This film was to be written by Kirk Thatcher. | Originally, the film was going to be a sci-fi parody titled Muppets ''In'' Space, which was reminiscent of Star Wars. The plot would have involved Kermit getting kidnapped by an alien race after being mistaken for their long-lost leader, prompting the rest of the primary Muppets cast (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, etc.) to go into space in an attempt to rescue him.<ref>[https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Muppets_in_Space The original plot] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> This film was to be written by Kirk Thatcher. | ||
At the same time, Jerry Juhl was developing a similar idea titled "Star Gonzo", which involved Gonzo and UFOs, the plot of which is unknown. Eventually, it was decided by Columbia pictures to shelve Kirk Thatcher's film to focus more on Juhl's idea, although the title (Muppets '''In''' Space being changed to Muppets '''From''' Space) of Thatcher's film was kept.<ref>[https://muppetcentral.com/news/1998/082798.shtml "Star Gonzo"] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> Though Thatcher's version of the film was never produced, a series of Welch's Jelly Jars were made to promote the film<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19980702051611/http://www.henson.com/index.html An archive of the official Jim Henson website advertising the Welch's promotion] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> | At the same time, Jerry Juhl was developing a similar idea titled "Star Gonzo", which involved Gonzo and UFOs, the plot of which is unknown. Eventually, it was decided by Columbia pictures to shelve Kirk Thatcher's film to focus more on Juhl's idea, although the title (Muppets '''In''' Space being changed to Muppets '''From''' Space) of Thatcher's film was kept.<ref>[https://muppetcentral.com/news/1998/082798.shtml "Star Gonzo"] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> Though Thatcher's version of the film was never produced, a series of Welch's Jelly Jars were made to promote the film.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19980702051611/http://www.henson.com/index.html An archive of the official Jim Henson website advertising the Welch's promotion] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> | ||
Joey Mazzarino was hired to co-write for the film alongside Jerry Juhl and Ken Kaufman. Director Randal Kleiser, of ''Grease'' fame, was hired to direct. Joey Mazzarino described his version of the script as being very parody heavy. Featuring references to famous sci-fi properties such as Men In Black, Contact, and Alien. The ending was also considerably different. Instead of Gonzo being confirmed as an alien, it would've revealed that the aliens visiting earth only modeled themselves in Gonzo's appearance out of worship, and Gonzo would have remained a "whatever." This ending was preferred by Mazzarino, but this, and the parody aspects of the film were removed following the hiring of Tim Hill as the new director. Which caused Mazzarino to leave the production shortly thereafter. | Joey Mazzarino was hired to co-write for the film alongside Jerry Juhl and Ken Kaufman. Director Randal Kleiser, of ''Grease'' fame, was hired to direct. Joey Mazzarino described his version of the script as being very parody heavy. Featuring references to famous sci-fi properties such as Men In Black, Contact, and Alien. The ending was also considerably different. Instead of Gonzo being confirmed as an alien, it would've revealed that the aliens visiting earth only modeled themselves in Gonzo's appearance out of worship, and Gonzo would have remained a "whatever." This ending was preferred by Mazzarino, but this, and the parody aspects of the film were removed following the hiring of Tim Hill as the new director. Which caused Mazzarino to leave the production shortly thereafter. | ||
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
- Joey Mazzarino on the film<ref>[https://toughpigs.com/a-chat-with-joey-mazzarino-part-2/ An interview held with Joey Mazzarino] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> | - Joey Mazzarino on the film<ref>[https://toughpigs.com/a-chat-with-joey-mazzarino-part-2/ An interview held with Joey Mazzarino] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> | ||
Muppets From Space was also the first Muppets film to not be a musical. Although originally, it was planned to have original songs. Such as a new version of Gonzo's song, "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday" from ''The Muppet Movie'', and a new song that was written by rock band Ween, titled "Eye 2 The Sky."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppets_from_Space#Music The music for Muppets From Space] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> Whether or not any other songs were planned/written for the film | Muppets From Space was also the first Muppets film to not be a musical. Although originally, it was planned to have original songs. Such as a new version of Gonzo's song, "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday" from ''The Muppet Movie'', and a new song that was written by rock band Ween, titled "Eye 2 The Sky."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppets_from_Space#Music The music for Muppets From Space] Retrieved 30 Jul '22</ref> Whether or not any other songs were planned/written for the film currently remains unknown. | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== |
Revision as of 05:07, 2 August 2022
Muppets From Space, released on July 14th, 1999, is the sixth theatrical film created for the Muppets franchise. The film centers around Gonzo, who wishes to find his family after discovering he might be an alien from outer space. The film is generally considered a box-office bomb, receiving mixed reviews and barely making back its 24 million dollar budget. However, what many don't know is that the film that was eventually released is much different than what it was originally intended.
Production History
Originally, the film was going to be a sci-fi parody titled Muppets In Space, which was reminiscent of Star Wars. The plot would have involved Kermit getting kidnapped by an alien race after being mistaken for their long-lost leader, prompting the rest of the primary Muppets cast (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, etc.) to go into space in an attempt to rescue him.[1] This film was to be written by Kirk Thatcher.
At the same time, Jerry Juhl was developing a similar idea titled "Star Gonzo", which involved Gonzo and UFOs, the plot of which is unknown. Eventually, it was decided by Columbia pictures to shelve Kirk Thatcher's film to focus more on Juhl's idea, although the title (Muppets In Space being changed to Muppets From Space) of Thatcher's film was kept.[2] Though Thatcher's version of the film was never produced, a series of Welch's Jelly Jars were made to promote the film.[3]
Joey Mazzarino was hired to co-write for the film alongside Jerry Juhl and Ken Kaufman. Director Randal Kleiser, of Grease fame, was hired to direct. Joey Mazzarino described his version of the script as being very parody heavy. Featuring references to famous sci-fi properties such as Men In Black, Contact, and Alien. The ending was also considerably different. Instead of Gonzo being confirmed as an alien, it would've revealed that the aliens visiting earth only modeled themselves in Gonzo's appearance out of worship, and Gonzo would have remained a "whatever." This ending was preferred by Mazzarino, but this, and the parody aspects of the film were removed following the hiring of Tim Hill as the new director. Which caused Mazzarino to leave the production shortly thereafter.
"...We were working with a director, Randal Kleiser, who had directed Grease, one of my favorite movies. We got the green light, it was Jerry Juhl’s script, and they asked me to do a pass, and I wrote a very parody-heavy script. We parodied Men in Black, Contact, Alien, and we were very close to shooting. Then I got a panicked call from Henson saying that they were firing Randal. They said, “We don’t feel like he’s bringing enough vision.” I said, “But we got the green light! We’re going!” So they flew me out to LA to pick a new director, and we picked a director who was a very nice guy, and he did a decent job, but he wanted to get rid of all the parody stuff. He wanted it to be more real, and the ending, I hate the ending. In my draft, the aliens were getting the signal of old Muppet Shows, and they made themselves look like Gonzo because he was the ultimate being to him. And then they peel back to reveal themselves to be these hideous creatures. And it’s not about family being those guys, his family is the Muppets. So he’s still a whatever, he’s not an alien in the end. So the fact that they made him an alien bugs the crap out of me. Anyway, they hired him, he wanted to make all these changes, and I just left."
- Joey Mazzarino on the film[4]
Muppets From Space was also the first Muppets film to not be a musical. Although originally, it was planned to have original songs. Such as a new version of Gonzo's song, "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday" from The Muppet Movie, and a new song that was written by rock band Ween, titled "Eye 2 The Sky."[5] Whether or not any other songs were planned/written for the film currently remains unknown.
Availability
None of the earlier scripts have been leaked to the public, and little-to-no behind-the-scenes content has been released. It's unknown if any of these materials will ever be released.
Gallery
Videos
Images
See Also
- Wilkins and Wontkins (partially lost series of Jim Henson commercials; 1957-1969)
- Sam and Friends (partially found early Jim Henson puppet TV series; 1955-1961)
- The Muppets' early ads (partially lost series of commercials; 1962-1969)
- Fraggle Rock (partially found British co-production of puppet children's television series; 1984-1990)
- The Dark Crystal (partially found high-quality version of workprint/director's cut of puppet fantasy film; early 1980s)
- Power of The Dark Crystal (lost production materials from canceled sequel to "The Dark Crystal" fantasy film; 1982-2014)
References
- ↑ The original plot Retrieved 30 Jul '22
- ↑ "Star Gonzo" Retrieved 30 Jul '22
- ↑ An archive of the official Jim Henson website advertising the Welch's promotion Retrieved 30 Jul '22
- ↑ An interview held with Joey Mazzarino Retrieved 30 Jul '22
- ↑ The music for Muppets From Space Retrieved 30 Jul '22