Netflix may have a new direct-to-digital movie title to add to its library. The streaming video-on-demand service is reportedly working on a distribution deal for the upcoming Judd Apatow-produced Pee-wee Herman flick.
A Netflix spokesperson told The Wrap the distribution deal isn’t in place yet, but for all intents and purposes the film moved to Netflix “a gazillion months ago.” The spokesperson also said though the Pee-wee Herman film was originally set up at Universal Pictures, it’s “no longer with” that studio.
The film will see comedian Paul Reubens reprise his role as Pee-wee, the fictional, child-like character the actor developed for a stage performance in the early 1980s. No director has been announced for the new Pee-wee film, and the script (which is also very much under wraps) was written by Reubens and fellow funny-man Paul Rust. Apatow will develop the film with his Apatow Productions company.
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Reubens re-introduced Pee-wee to audiences a few years back, at one point appearing in character for a 2011 Saturday Night Live sketch opposite The Lonely Island’s Andy Samberg (who just landed three new show deals with his fellow Islanders Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone through Fox).
And Netflix is more than prepared to bring in another Pee-wee Herman title to its library. The SVOD service currently lets users stream the films Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-wee, as well as the character’s popular TV shows of The Pee-wee Herman Show and two volumes of Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
Now we just have to wait and see if Netflix picks up the new Pee-wee film officially. I personally would love to hear the character taunt “I know you are, but what am I?” all over again.
