— P R E V I E W –Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book is finally adapted for the big screen with a helping hand from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Naughty boy, Max (Max Records), is sent to bed early without super. In his room a mysterious forest grows out of his imagination and he sets sail to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things are large fearsome-looking beasts, and they crown Max their ruler.
Where the Wild Things has been a long time coming. Universal originally released a teaser attached to the film The Grinch (2000). However, disagreements between Universal and Jonze led him to take the film to Warner Bros. In February, 2008, rumors emerged that Warner Bros., seemingly unhappy with the footage, were considering having Jonze re-shoot the entire film. Producer Gary Goetzman responded, “We support Spike’s vision. We’re helping him make the vision he wants to make.” Award winning make-up effects supervisor Howard Berger turned down offers to work on the film on four separate occasions. Although the book inspired him as a child to work in special effects, he felt filming it was a “horrible idea”.
The final cut of the film combines live action, suitmation, animatronics, and CGI. Its release is currently scheduled for October 16, 2009.