Fraggle Rock: The Movie

Fraggle Rock: The Movie is a 2021 American-Canadian action comedy film directed by Cory Edwards. It was produced by Lionsgate Films in association with The Jim Henson Company, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing under the TriStar Pictures banner for domestic distribution, and as Columbia Pictures internationally. The film stars Adam Driver, Joaquin Phoenix, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Miranda Cosgrove, Chloe Grace Moretz, Randy Rainbow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Karen Prell, Donna Kimball/Kathryn Mullen, Kevin Clash/Peter Linz, John Tartaglia, and Dave Goelz as the main Fraggle Rock characters.

The plot centers around Jake Crystal (nephew of the late Jerome "Doc" Crystal), a cynical, solitary, "masculine" college student who hasn't had a proper family since he was just months old, and despite his small circle of best friends (sensitive guy Nate Shimmelfinney, tomboyish Charlotte "Charlie" Stevenson and feminine Lola Juhl) and Doc's dog Sprocket, Jake nonetheless feels alone and depressed, with no one he thinks he can trust. Red Fraggle, from Fraggle Rock (one of Nate's favorite childhood shows), escapes from the hole in the wall of one of his classrooms and enters "outer space" (what Fraggles call the human world), and offers to be Jake's housemate, confidant and "sister", out of sympathy for his loneliness (a similar situation happens with Nate when Mokey, another Fraggle from the show, explores "outer space" as well). Jake soon learns that years ago, his father was murdered by a mentally disturbed man named Derek Frith, who is now the chairman of the most powerful business empire in the world, and plans on obtaining Bubonium, a supernatural diamond with the power to recreate the Black Death, in order to get revenge on the people of New York (and the rest of the United States) for bullying him in his youth. When the other three main Fraggles (Wembley, Gobo, and Boober) join the mix, it's a race against time to stop Mr. Frith from getting the diamond. Along the way, Jake learns that even your friends can be your family.

The film was released on July 30, 2021, and received positive reviews from critics, who praised the acting (especially Driver, Prell, and Phoenix's performances), the direction, the puppet effects, and the decision not to oversimplify or sugarcoat the message underlying the movie, even lauding the portrayal of Jake's character throughout the movie (borderline depressed on the surface, but hides both a deep insecurity about his standing in life, and has a soft spot for those who bring him happiness and comfort). Despite this, it was an underperformer at the box office, making $82 million on a $47 million budget. Principal photography occurred between October and December 2020, with post-production in January 2021.

The film won five Academy Awards; Best Actor (for Adam Driver), Best Supporting Actress (Karen Prell as Red Fraggle), Best Direction (Cory Edwards), Best Original Screenplay (Jocelyn Stevenson and Joey Mazzarino), and Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer), and was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Joaquin Phoenix). Prell's win marked the first time an acting Oscar was awarded for a puppeteering or voice-over performance (Prell accepted the award in-character with the Red Fraggle puppet, and after her acceptance speech, Red hugged fellow Oscar winner Adam Driver, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Miranda Cosgrove, Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober). However, it wasn't the first time any major acting award had such a nomination; Ellen DeGeneres was nominated for a Saturn Award for her voice performance in Finding Nemo.

Following the positive critical reception of this film, the Jim Henson Company announced plans to reboot many of their most popular projects and focus on more puppet-centric productions, including a film starring the Bear in the Big Blue House cast (made in cooperation with Disney), remake films of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and even a second film under the Henson Alternative banner. In addition, the company announced plans for a collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and DC Comics; an Amazon Prime Video series based on the Batman comic books.

Cast
Adam Driver as Jake Crystal

Karen Prell as Red Fraggle, Wingnut Doozer, Modem Doozer, Fluffinella, Beastie, and Baby Tree Creature

Joaquin Phoenix as Mr. Frith

Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse as Nate Shimmelfinney

Mokey Fraggle: Donna Kimball (puppetry), Kathryn Mullen (voice)

Miranda Cosgrove as Charlie Stevenson

Chloe Grace Moretz as Lola Juhl

Wembley Fraggle: Kevin Clash (puppetry), Peter Linz (voice)

John Tartaglia as Gobo Fraggle

Dave Goelz as Boober Fraggle, Uncle Travelling Matt, Philo, World's Oldest Fraggle, Wrench Doozer, Sidebottom, and Large Marvin Fraggle

Sprocket: Kevin Clash (puppetry), Ryan Dillon (voice)

Randy Rainbow as Sal DeLove

Cotterpin Doozer: Alice Dinnean (puppetry), Kathryn Mullen (voice)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Mr. Parks

Junior Gorg: Rob Mills (puppetry), Frank Meschkuleit (performance), Tyler Bunch (voice)

The Cube: Drew Massey, Victor Yerrid (puppetry), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (voice)

Marjory the Trash Heap: Mike Quinn (puppetry), Peter Linz (voice)

Pa Gorg: John Kennedy (puppetry), Gord Robertson (performance), Matt Vogel (voice)

Ma Gorg: Cheryl Wagner (puppetry and voice), Trish Leeper (performance)

Gunge: Fred Stinson (puppetry), David Rudman (voice)

Terry Angus as Storyteller Fraggle, Brio the Minstrel, and Morris Fraggle

Bill Barretta as Cantus the Minstrel

Bruce Lanoil as Flange Doozer

Mike Quinn as Architect Doozer

Convincing John: Brian Henson (puppetry), Martin P. Robinson (voice)

John Pattison as Henchy Fraggle

Haley Joel Osment as Jake's Dad

Ashley Tisdale as Jake's Mom

Doug Walker as The Nostalgia Critic

Gillis Fraggle: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (puppetry), Tyler Bunch (voice)

Marlon Fraggle: John Tartaglia (puppetry), Matt Vogel (voice)

Tim Lagasse as Feenie Fraggle

Kristen Wiig as Nate's Mom

Trish Leeper as Tosh Fraggle

Cheryl Wagner as Lou Fraggle

Archbanger Fraggle: Bruce Lanoil (puppetry), Joey Mazzarino (voice)

Bob Stutt as Wander McMooch and Felix the Fearless

The Old Gypsy Lady: Fred Stinson (puppetry), Kathryn Mullen (voice)

Max Records as Young Mr. Frith

Murray the Minstrel: John Kennedy (puppetry), Eric Jacobson (voice)

Tim Gosley as Brool the Minstrel

Balsam the Minstrel: Alice Dinnean (puppetry), Noel MacNeal (voice)

The Fragglettes: Alice Dinnean, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Donna Kimball (puppetry), Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Colleen Smith (voices)

Rob Mills as Lanford

Rap Battle Fraggles: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Colleen Smith (puppetry), Lloyd Ahlquist, Peter Shukoff (voices)

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool

Gerry Parkes as Doc (via archive footage)

Background Fraggles & Doozers: Brad Abrell, Terry Angus, Pam Arciero (voice only), Anthony Asbury (voice only), Grant Baciocco, David Barclay, Jennifer Barnhart (voice only), Bill Barretta, Cheryl Blaylock (voice only), Rickey Boyd (voice only), Lisa Buckley (voice only), Julianne Buescher, Tyler Bunch (voice only), Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Kevin Clash, Frankie Cordero (voice only), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (voice only), Dorien Davies, Ryan Dillon (voice only), Alice Dinnean, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Tim Gosley, Brian Henson, Eric Jacobson (voice only), Vicki Kenderes-Eibner (voice only), John Kennedy, Donna Kimball, Jim Kroupa (voice only), Tim Lagasse, Bruce Lanoil, Trish Leeper, Peter Linz (voice only), Rick Lyon (voice only), Noel MacNeal (voice only), Jim Martin (voice only), Drew Massey, Joey Mazzarino (voice only), Frank Meschkuleit, Rob Mills, Kathryn Mullen (voice only), Carmen Osbahr (voice only), John Pattison, Karen Prell, Mike Quinn, Gord Robertson, Martin P. Robinson (voice only), David Rudman (voice only), Colleen Smith, Fred Stinson, Bob Stutt, John Tartaglia, Allan Trautman, Karen Valleau, Matt Vogel (voice only), Cheryl Wagner, Wende Welch, Victor Yerrid

Animatronic Puppeteers: Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo, John Criswell, Anthny Gardner, Rick Lazzarini, April Warren

Additional Puppeteers: Brad Abrell, Catherine Adell, Rachel Appelbaum, Lee Armstrong, Grant Baciocco, Greg Ballora, David Barclay, Steve Barker, Adam Behr, Tim Blaney, Stephen Brathwaite, Julianne Buescher, Ronnie Burkett, Kevin Carlson, Raymond Carr, Jeny Cassady, Morris Chapdelaine, Kristin Charney, Denise Cheshire, Brian Clark, Jeff Conover, Brian Culp, Nathan Danforth, Dorien Davies, Ben Deutsch, Todd Doldersum, Kathryn Durst, Ali Eisner, Nameer El-Kadi, Artie Esposito, Peggy Etra, Matt Ficner, Tom Fisher, Genevieve Flati, Thom Fountain, Dan Garza, Patrick Gerrety, BJ Guyer, Kellie Haines, Kira Hall, Ingrid Hansen, Terri Hardin, Andy Hayward, Rachel Herrick, Paul Hooson, Jason Hopley, Bruce Hunter, Mick Ignis, Patrick Johnson, Scott Johnson, Sean Johnson, Avery Lee Jones, Brian Jones, James Kemp, Nina Keogh, Helen King, Scott Land, Jani Lauzon, Judith Lawrence, Len Levitt, Jayden Libran, Jordan Lockhart, Paul Louis, Benton Lowe, Lara MacLean, Kathy MacLellan, Greg Manion, Bob Martin, Karen Maruyama, Paul McGinnis, Jess McKay, Ted Michaels, Danny Montooth, Alison Mork, Sue Morrison, James Murray, Russell Nauman, John Nolan, Sarah Oh, Michael Oosterom, Brett O'Quinn, Christine Papalexis, Pier Paquette, Mike Petersen, Ian Petrella, Felix Pire, Ann Powell, David Powell, Tony Sabin Prince, David Quesal, James Rankin, Dan Redican, Geoff Redknap, Shawna Reiter, Monica Reuben, Melissa Roja, Misty Rosas, Tim Rose, James Rowley, Carla Rudy, Paul Rugg, Nicolette Santino, Rob Saunders, Sandra Shamas, Jamie Shannon, James Silson, Scott Silson, Michelan Sisti, David Skelly, Ron Stefaniuk, Marty Stelnick, Jeff Sweeney, Norman Tempia, Leif Tilden, Allan Trautman, Steve Troop, Karen Valleau, Tom Vandenberg, Art Vega, Jack Venturo, Alex Villa, Russ Walko, Robin Walsh, Karen Waterman, Wende Welch, Vanessa Whitney, Mark Bryan Wilson, Dan Wood, Eric Woolfe, Chase Woolner, Noreen Young

Crew
Directed by Cory Edwards

Written by Jocelyn Stevenson & Joey Mazzarino

Produced by Brian Henson, Martin G. Baker, Alex Rockwell

Executive Producers: Lisa Henson, Michael K. Frith

Based upon the TV series "Fraggle Rock" created by Jim Henson

Director of Photography: Alan Caso, ASC

Production Designers: Bill Brzeski & Bo Welch

Editor: Brian Scott Olds

Costume Designer: Polly Smith

Music by Hans Zimmer

Casting by Mary Gail Artz, Mike Fenton, Allison Cowitt

The Jim Henson Company NY Creature Shop
Original Puppet Designer: Michael K. Frith

Original Workshop Supervisor: Tim Miller

Original Lead Puppet Builders: Leslee Asch (Boober Fraggle), Tim Clarke (Uncle Travelling Matt), Rollie Krewson (Red Fraggle & Wembley Fraggle), Tim Miller (Gobo Fraggle & Sprocket), Jan Rosenthal (Mokey Fraggle), Caroly Wilcox (Gobo Fraggle)

Original Special Puppet Effects Supervisor: Faz Fazakas

Original Puppet Technicians: Fred Buchholz, Larry Jameson, Tom Newby

Puppet Design Consultant: Michael K. Frith

Workshop Puppet Supervisor: Edward G. Christie

Workshop General Manager: Constance Peterson

Workshop Creative Supervisor: Jason Weber

Workshop Puppet Captain: Matt Vogel

Lead Puppet Designers: Paul Andrejco, Edward Eyth

Lead Puppet Fabricator: James Wojtal

Puppet Construction Supervisor: Joanne Green

Puppets & Costumes: Heather Asch, Lauren Attinello, Carol Binion, Ronald Binion, David Bizzaro, Erin Slattery Black, Cheryl Blaylock, Marc Borders, Mary Brehmer, Matthew Brennan, Matt Brooks, Lisa Buckley, Michael Bush, Brian Carson, James Chai, Ceili Clemens, Frankie Cordero, Melissa Creighton, Carole D'Agostino, Alana De Matteo, Andrea Detwiler, Isabelle Dufour, Ben Durocher, Richard Dyar, Jonathan Ehrich, Victoria Ellis, Henri Ewaskio, Bob Fappiano, Rob Gardner, Joel Gennari, Andrea Gilletti, Vanessa Gifford Gillis, James Godwin, Muriel Stockdale Grabe, Brian Haimes, Tyler Hall, Elizabeth Hara, Paul Hartis, Deb Hertzberg, Michelle Hickey, Joshua Holden, Ann Marie Holdgruen, Sarah Iams, J. Douglas James, Ulysses Jones, Jean Marie Keevins, Ariella Knight, Joe Kovacs, Rollie Krewson, Jim Kroupa, Janet Kuhl, Sarah Lafferty, Kari Love, Christopher Lyall, Rick Lyon, Peter MacKennan, Lara MacLean, Amanda Maddock, Laura Manns, Cathy McCullough, Tom McLaughlin, Megan McNerney, Casey Miller, Tom Newby, Colette Nickola, Danielle Obinger, John Orberg, Anney Fresh Ozar, Anna Paniccia, Constance Peterson, Jane Pien, Kip Rathke, Lily Rosen, Stephen Rotondaro, Kate Rusek, Sierra Schoening, Michael Schupbach, Jessica Simon, Polly Smith, Keely Snook, Matt Stoddart, Sally Thomas, Mari Tobita, David Valentine, Jason Weber, Stacey Weingarten, Sarah Luraschi Weiss, Nate Wilson, Matt Withiam, James Wojtal, Cynthia Woodie

Puppet Costume Supervisors: Cheryl Blaylock, Polly Smith

Puppet Specialists: James Chai, Paul Hartis, Peter MacKennan

Puppet Wranglers: Pam Arciero, Heather Asch, Rob Gardner, James Godwin, Michelle Hickey, Tim Lagasse, Lara MacLean, Noel MacNeal, Anney Fresh Ozar, Kip Rathke, Michael Schupbach

Special Puppet Effects Supervisors: Jim Kroupa, Tom Newby

Puppet Stunt Coordinator: Fred Buchholz

Assistant to the Creative Supervisor: Carolyn Fanelli

Workshop Production Crew: Melissa Creighton, Gabriella Degennaro, Alana De Matteo, Richard Dyar, Joseph Roddy, Jason Seck

The Jim Henson Company LA Creature Shop
Workshop Captain: Brian Henson

Workshop Supervisor: Cheryl Henson

Workshop Creative Supervisor: Peter Brooke

Workshop Puppet Captain: Kevin Clash

Workshop Puppet Co-Captain: Bill Barretta

Workshop Puppet Supervisor: Jane Gootnick

Puppet Design Consultant: Neal Scanlan

Puppet Design Supervisor: Kirk R. Thatcher

Special Puppet Construction: James Kemp

Animatronics & Puppet Fabrication: Peter Abrahamson, Jane Kriesel Allen, Deborah Ambrosino, Grant Baciocco, Greg Ballora, David Barrington-Holt, Robert H. Bennett, Enrique Bilsland, Julianne Buescher, Mae Canaga, Marilee Canaga, A. Robert Capwell, Tamara Carlson-Woodard, Joe Colwell, Randall Cooper, Susan Cox, John Criswell, Gretchen Crookes, Duke Cullen, Robin Dufay, Brad Elliott, Dave Elsey, Artie Esposito, David Fedele, Alex "Jurgen" Ferguson, Jeff Forbes, Frederick Fraleigh, Patrick Gerrety, Jane Gootnick, BJ Guyer, Tim Hawkins, Eric Hayden, James Hayes, Colleen Henry, Heather Henson, Jane Howell, Patrick Johnson, Scott Johnson, Sean Johnson, Marian Keating, Tacy Kneale, Janet Knechtel, Karen Lafler, Tim Lagasse, Frank Langley, Michael MacFarlane, Tristan Maduro, Karen Mason, Drew Massey, Joelle McGonagle, Jess McKay, Tamara McKinnon-Miller, Joelle Newton-Mold, Michael Oosterom, Adrian Parish, Joan Parkinson, Quentin Plant, Geoff Redknap, Lisa Rocco, Tim Rose, Mike Scanlan, David Skelly, Norman Tempia, Jill Thraves, Kacy Treadway, Russ Walko, Robin Walsh, April Warren, Jean-Guy White, Kristen Willet, Kenny Wilson, Chase Woolner, Darryl Worbey, Victor Yerrid, Julie Zobel

Puppet Costume Supervisors: Lisa Davis, Carol Spier

Puppet Wranglers: Gretchen Crookes, Alex "Jurgen" Ferguson, Scott Johnson, Russ Walko

Special Puppet Effects Supervisors: David Barclay, Bruce Lanoil, Tim Rose

Puppet Animatronics Consultant: Lyle Conway

Puppet Animatronics Supervisors: David Barclay, John Criswell

Puppet Animation Supervisors: Karen Prell, Mike Quinn, David Skelly, Robin Walsh

Special Thanks to: Angus Puppets, Gene Barretta, Patrick Bristow, Warrick Brownlow-Pike, Kerry Butler, Shannon Clash, Vicki Edwards, Annie Evans, Debra Freeman, David Gumpel, Adam Hunt, Mary Jacobson, Susan Doerr Juhl, Mitchell Kriegman, Michael Lapinski, Jim Lewis, Michael Shawn Lewis, Matthew MacNeal, Susan Elia MacNeal, Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio, Henry Mills, Jan Nelson, Frank Oz, Radical Sheep Productions, Stoney Ripley, Adam Rudman, Joey Rudman, Paul Rudolph, Mia Sara, Craig Shemin, Kirk R. Thatcher, Joanne Tucker, Jack Vogel, Melissa Whitmire, Steve Whitmire

Dedicated to the memory of Gerard "Gerry" Parkes (1924-2014). Thank you for all of your contributions to Fraggle Rock. You never left the magic, Doc.

Enormous gratitude to the incomparable Jim Henson (1936-1990) whose limitless imagination and unparalleled creative ingenuity brought the Fraggles to life. We are honored to continue your legacy.

And of course, special thanks to all of the puppeteers, directors, writers, producers, and creative team who contributed to the success of Fraggle Rock. We shall never forget you.