by The Three Stooges can never die, and that’s not just written into their plotlines.
Forty years after Moe Howard and Larry Fine both died in 1975, the often-violent slapstick antics of Moe, Larry and Curly continue to be revived and reanimated. Just in the past month, The Three Stooges estate has announced a sequel to the 2012 movie that starred Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, and Will Sasso as Moe, Larry and Curly, respectively; a 52-episode run of animated short films; and a new DVD package narrated by Moe’s son, Paul Howard.
Are they the funniest zombies, you think?
Here’s an update on the three new major Stooges projects:
MOVIE
C3, which owns the Three Stooges brand, went to Cannes in May with fellow producers Grand Peaks and the Exchange to sell worldwide rights to a movie sequel written by Cameron Fay and starring Hayes, Diamantopoulos and Sasso. The Farrelly brothers had written and directed the 2012 reboot.
“With Sean, Chris and Will back as our Stooges and Cameron writing, this next film will be a truly unique blend of fast paced action with the hilarious mayhem of the Three Stooges,” said C3’s CEO Earl Benjamin.
ANIMATED SHORTS
C3 also just announced a venture with animators Titmouse, Inc., and distributor CAKE to bring a new 52-episode series of animated Three Stooges shorts to this week’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.
From 1965-1973, The New Three Stooges combined cartoons with live footage to fill half-hours. This new project will consist of 52 11-minute animated episodes, with limited dialogue to appeal even more to an international audience. Christy Karacas (Superjail!) directed the pilot.
“Joining forces with CAKE and Titmouse provides us with a great team to create a new brand extension for The Three Stooges that is contemporary, true to the brand and will appeal to kids and families all over the world,” Benjamin said.
Chris Prynoski, President of Titmouse, added: “I grew up watching The Three Stooges with my father. When I signed on to helm this new show, I made a blood oath to my Dad that I would treat the Stooges brand like it was a newborn baby Fabergé egg. With the cartoon making team we have lined up at Titmouse, it’s sure to be the most batty, bananas, insanely giggle-inducing version of the Three Stooges your eyeballs and brainhole have ever experienced. Dad, I won’t let you down!”
DVD BOX SET
Finally, just in time for Father’s Day, there’s a new nine-hour DVD box set called The Three Stooges: Hey Moe, Hey Dad, narrated by Paul Howard, son of Moe.
The set claims to be heavy on rare footage, photos and looks at the private lives of Moe, Larry and Curly, plus interviews with other family members, friends and today’s celebrity fans.
