Melissa McCarthy To Produce And Star In Puppet Horror Comedy 'The Happytime Murders'

Following her turn in last year's horror-comedy Ghostbusters, Melissa McCarthy will pursue another project that blends humor with horror in the adult-oriented puppet thriller The Happytime Murders.

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Director Brian Henson has been developing The Happytime Murders since 2012, with the project now coming closer to fruition.

According to STX Entertainment, McCarthy has signed on to not just star in the project but to produce it as well.

The story takes place in a world where humans and puppets live together, when a series of grisly murders take place in the Los Angeles underbelly, with the victims being the former puppet stars of "The Happytime Gang." A human detective and puppet detective must put aside their differences to get to the bottom of the bizarre crimes

McCarthy says of the project, "When a really good script combines puppet strippers, Los Angeles' underbelly and comedy, it's like my fever dream has finally come true."

Henson Alternative, the adult-oriented branch of The Jim Henson Company, will help bring the film to life.

McCarthy is well-known for her skills as a comedic performer, using those abilities to help make Ghostbusters such a success. Based on early plot details, the film sounds like it could carry out in the vein of cult classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, while also incorporating more R-rated humor.

The idea of an "adult-oriented puppet horror-comedy" might sound bizarre, but one of the most celebrated directors of our time, Peter Jackson, has already dabbled in that world.

Back in 1989, the filmmaker made Meet the Feebles, which chronicled the debauchery that went on behind-the-scenes of a popular puppet variety show. Incorporating sex, drugs, and violence, the film has earned a massive following for its sheer absurdity, which it sounds like The Happytime Murders will gladly try to tap into.

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[H/T Bloody Disgusting]