Variety is reporting that Flight of the Conchords member Bret McKenzie is writing the script and will compose the music for a new movie adaptation of the classic ABC special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. The movie produced by the Jim Henson Company, Pacific Electric Picture Company and Snoot Entertainment follows a poor otter family who risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas. The 1977 ABC special, which was based on the children’s book of the same name by Russell Hoban, featured original songs by Paul Williams.
McKenzie who previously composed the songs for 2011’s The Muppets (for which he received an Academy Award) and its sequel Muppets Most Wanted and recently also contributed a song for James Bobin’s Dora and the Lost City of Gold is also developing Disney’s Bob the Musical! and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Moonland.
