The release date for Ron Howard’s new documentary about Jim Henson has been revealed by Disney+. Jim Henson Idea Man will be arriving on Disney’s streaming service on May 31, 2024. This documentary promises to be a definitive look at the man behind the Muppets. His family gave him incredible access to his personal archives to help make this happen.
“If there was going to be a definitive documentary about Jim Henson, we had hoped it would be in the hands of an accomplished filmmaker. Ron Howard is both a creative and personality match for my father, unlike anyone else we could have contemplated,” Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, told Vanity Fair in an interview that was released earlier today.
“It was sort of anarchy on the outside, but underneath it, there was always a smart idea—a witty point to make, an observation about the world,” Ron Howard shared in the same article. “To see that evolve through the medium of puppetry and television, and then on into movies, was so interesting to me. I felt like you could actually observe a lot about entertainment, what entertains us and why, through his journey.”
This film will not just take a look at Jim Henson the creator, but also at Jim Henson the man. It will look at the ups and down of Jim Henson’s life as he created so many beloved characters and stories. It will include the love story with his wife Jane and how much of an impact she had in getting The Muppets and The Jim Henson Company going. The documentary will also look at his workaholic life and other problems that came with that. This ultimately led to the the breaking up of their marriage. However, they did continue to collaborate creatively. Jane even helped shepherd his legacy after he passed. Lisa Henson shared that this relationship will be shared about “honestly.”
“The whole purpose of the movie is that audiences will get to know Jim Henson as a person,” Lisa says.
Jim Henson Idea Man will look at the story of Jim Henson and share the good and the bad, offering new perspectives and depth to this man’s story and life. It will continue the legacy Ron Howard has been building as a documentary-maker as well. He made this documentary with his (and Brian Grazier’s) Imagine Entertainment. It will explore Jim Henson’s “restless creativity.” The film will include interviews with friends, family members, and puppeteers who share about Jim Henson, including Frank Oz.
Oz, who was Henson’s longtime collaborator, was a key interview Howard shared. “Frank could help us understand the risks he took, what it felt like to win, and what it felt like to lose,” Howard said. “It just was a great overarching perspective beyond what the family could offer, from a peer, from a contemporary who ultimately was kind of like a brother.”
Below is a look at the key art for Jim Henson Idea Man and the official description for the film.
Jim Henson Idea Man Official Description
“Jim Henson Idea Man” takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary, from his early years puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim’s personal archives, Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.
What do you think of Jim Henson Idea Man? Are you excited to watch it? What are you most looking forward to in regards to this documentary? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
