Jeff Bridges toStaras Grendel in Jim Henson Company's Live-Action Monster Film

Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges is set to play the iconic monster Grendel in a new live-action film from The Jim Henson Company. The movie, titled "Grendel," is an adaptation of John Gardner's critically acclaimed 1971 novel of the same name, which retells the classic Beowulf epic from the perspective of the legendary monster.

Bridges will be joined by an impressiveensemble cast, including Dave Bautista as Beowulf, Bryan Cranston as King Hrothgar, Sam Elliott as The Dragon, Thomasin McKenzie as Queen Wealhtheow, and Aidan Turner as Unferth. The film will also feature original songs composed by T Bone Burnett, who will make a rare acting appearance as The Shaper.

Robert D. Krzykowski, who acquired the rights to Gardner's novel in 2020, will direct the film from his own screenplay adaptation. "Grendel represents everything I love about the movies," said Krzykowski. "John Gardner's mad masterpiece cleverly tackles what it is to be human through the wild-eyed lens of a monster."

The Jim Henson Company, renowned for its groundbreaking work in puppetry and creature effects, will bring the monstrous Grendel to life using a combination of cutting-edge practical techniques from their Creature Shop and digital visual effects. "The Jim Henson Company is internationally known for our world creation and character creation,"said Brian Henson, producer and Chair of the Board of The Jim Henson Company. "And we are most inspired when a character has a richly authentic personality, and can be sophisticated, thought-provoking, and believable."

The epic poem Beowulf, written by an unknown author before 1000 AD, is one of the most significant works in Old English literature. It tells the story of the Geatish hero Beowulf, who comes to the aid of the Danish king Hrothgar to fight the monster Grendel. Gardner's 1971 novel, which serves as the basis for the film, reimagines the tale from themisunderstood monster's point of view.

"Grendel" is produced by Krzykowski, Brian Henson, Vince Raisa, Jay Glazer, Dennis Berardi, and Jon D. Wagner, with Bridges, John Sayles, Tamara Birkemoe, and Joe Jenckes serving as executive producers. Palisades Park Pictures will launch international sales ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, with CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group co-representing the North American rights. Ashland Hill Media Finance is financing the film, which is set to begin production later this year in Europe.

The casting of Jeff Bridges as Grendel, alongside a stellar ensemble, promises a fresh and compelling take on the ancient tale. With The Jim Henson Company's mastery of practical creature effects and Krzykowski's visionary approach, "Grendel" is poised to offer athought-provoking explorationof the human condition through the eyes of one of literature's most iconic monsters.