The director of the Spider-Man trilogy, Jon Watts is in talks to direct Muppet Man, a biopic about Jim Henson. According to industry insider Daniel Richtman via Patreon, the director is eyeing a film about the creative mind behind Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.
Richtman also revealed that Oscar-nominated writer Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Cinderella, and Rogue One) is on scriptwriting duties. There is no other cast or crew connected to the plot, and Watts is yet to be officially announced as director.
This is a project that has been in the works for a few years. Deadline first reported the project in 2021, when Michael Mitnick (The Current War) was hired to write the screenplay, based on an earlier draft by Aaron and Jordan Kandell (Adrift). Disney has owned the rights to the world of The Muppets since 2004 and reportedly had discussions with The Henson Company about making a biopic back in 2010.
In addition to directing Tom Holland and Zendaya as Peter Parker and MJ, Watts created the Star Wars TV spinoff Skeleton Crew and episodes of the FX drama The Old Man. His last movie was Wolfs, which starred George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
Watts recently inked a first-look deal with Disney, and we think this Henson project may be included in this deal. It’ll be exciting to see Watts working on a more grounded role with real characters. Following his breakout Sundance debut, Cop Car, Watts has almost exclusively made content for Disney franchises.
Who was Jim Henson?
For those who don't know him, Jim Henson was an American puppeteer and filmmaker whose legacy in cinema and television has lasted decades after his death. Although he is best associated with creating The Muppets, he also created Fraggle Rock and directed The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Henson was one of the 20th century's most important creatives, making beloved shows which connected with children around the globe. He started his company in 1958 after appearing on local television and built one of the most well-known franchises around the world. Beyond just counting and spelling, his shows embrace diversity and help kids better understand social dynamics.
Henson’s show reached an amazing 235 million viewers in more than 100 countries and earned four Emmy Awards. He would also later win a Peabody Award for his work. Much like the Mr Rogers biopic, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, this Henson film could help remind us of the positive impact of media and the benefits of being kind.
He sadly passed away in 1990 from streptococcus pneumonia, aged just 53. At the time of his death, he was negotiating the sale of his company to Disney, the stress of which some believe led to his untimely death.
In May 2024, Ron Howard released a documentary about the puppeteer, which debuted on Disney+. Henson himself has been played by an actor on screen, with Succession star Nicholas Braun playing him in last year’s Saturday Night.