New Delhi: Directed by Ron Howard, Jim Henson Idea Man is an American documentary film on puppeteer Jim Henson. The film follows Jim Henson through his life and career, documenting his early years as an artist and his work with his wife Jane Henson on projects such as Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, and The Muppets. Members of the Henson family and friends, as well as employees like Frank Oz, are interviewed for the film.
Premiering on May 18, 2024, in the Cannes Classics sections of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, it will have its global debut on May 31, 2024, on Disney+. About the Documentary Immersed in this documentary are interviews with Jim Henson admirers, intercut with archived clips from his works, including the long-lost Wilkins and Wontkins commercials. Along with regular archival footage and talking head interviews, there are some quite ingenious animations.
These animations mostly function as scene transitions or show how the iconic Muppets were created, such as the jacket and ping pong balls that became Kermit or the basketball that was cut in half to become Rowlf’s head. Rita Moreno, Jennifer Connelly, and Henson’s children all share stories, but Frank Oz—whom Henson has worked with and mentored for a long time—is the most featured interviewee. About Jim Henson Henson, who grew up in rural Mississippi without ever having laid eyes on a puppet, was captivated by television, as were many youngsters of his day; in fact, he went into puppetry as a way to wo.