Bridges will play the eponymous Grendel alongside Bautista as Beowulf and Cranston as King Hrothgar in The Jim Henson Company’s live-action monster film set to begin production in Europe later this year.
The Jim Henson Company’s upcoming live-action monster film Grendel is toting some serious star power. Jeff Bridges has joined as the eponymous Grendel, alongside Dave Bautista as Beowulf and Bryan Cranston as King Hrothgar. Thomasin McKenzie also joins as queen Wealhtheow, with Aidan Turner as Unferth and T Bone Burnett as the Shaper; Burnett will also craft original songs for the project.
Grendel centers on legendary monster of the epic Beowulf poem, who steps forward to tell his side of the tale.
Brian Henson, producer and Chair of the Board of The Jim Henson Company says, “The Jim Henson Company is internationally known for our world creation and character creation. And we are most inspired when a character has a richly authentic personality, and can be sophisticated, thought-provoking, and believable. Grendel is the ultimate character, and will be brought to life using our Creature Shop’s cutting-edge practical techniques in combination with Dennis Berardi’s amazing digital effects.”
Robert D. Krzykowski (The Man Who Killed Hitler) directs his adapted screenplay of John Gardner’s novel.
“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. It’s an honor to work with such a remarkable group of storytellers, all of whom seek to bring something wonderful and unexpected to audiences now.”
Palisades Park Pictures will launch international sales ahead of Cannes.
“We are delighted to be introducing this elevated, high-concept story to our distributors around the world,” added Tamara Birkemoe, CEO Palisades Park Pictures. “With this brilliant cast, Bob’s vivid vision and the extraordinary creative track record of our friends at The Jim Henson Company, we cannot wait to see Grendel come to life.”
The film is produced by Henson and Vince Raisa for the Jim Henson Company, Krzykowski, Jay Glazer, Dennis Berardi, and Jon D. Wagner. Bridges, John Sayles, Birkemoe, and Joe Jenckes of Ashland Media Finance executive produce.
Production on Grendel is set to begin in Europe later this year. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will handle practical creature work and design.
Source: The Jim Henson Company
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