NETFLIX AND JUDD APATOW TEAM UP TO BRING THE WORLD PEE-WEE HERMAN’S NEXT BIG ADVENTURE
Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, A New Feature Film By Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, Available Exclusively To The Global Membership of Netflix
John Lee Makes His Feature Film Directorial Debut, Beginning Production in March 2015
Beverly Hills, Calif., February 24, 2015–Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, will premiere exclusively in all of its territories the new feature film, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, starring Paul Reubens as the beloved fun-loving hero of TV, stage and film, Pee-wee Herman.
Judd Apatow (Anchorman, Bridesmaids) and Reubens, who worked together to bring the project to fruition, will produce the film. Reubens and Paul Rust (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Arrested Development) wrote the film. John Lee (Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer) makes his feature film directorial debut with production beginning in early 2015.
In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny.
“We didn’t hesitate for a moment knowing that Pee-wee’s Big Holiday was such a passion project for Paul and Judd and we are delighted by the opportunity to introduce such a beloved character to a new generation,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “We are thrilled to bring our viewers around the world the wonder of Pee-wee Herman.”
“As a fan of Pee-wee Herman since he first appeared on The Dating Game, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the brilliant Paul Reubens on this film. It is a dream come true,” said Judd Apatow.
“Judd and I dreamt up this movie four years ago. The world was much different back then— Netflix was waiting by the mailbox for red envelopes to arrive. I’ve changed all that. The future is here. Get used to it. Bowtie is the new black,” said Pee-wee Herman.
Paul Reubens created the iconic character, Pee-wee Herman, while a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings. The Pee-wee Herman Show premiered at The Groundlings Theatre on February 7, 1981 at midnight. It quickly moved to The Roxy on Sunset Strip where it ran for an unprecedented five months. The HBO broadcast of the show introduced Pee-wee to a national audience. Pee-wee Herman was brought to the big screen in the hit 1985 comedy Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which Paul Reubens co-wrote and marked Tim Burton’s directorial debut. Reubens went on to create, co-write and co-direct Pee-wee’s Playhouse on CBS where the series earned 22 Emmy® Awards during its five year run. Reubens has been nominated for 14 Emmy® Awards, winning twice. In January of 2010, Reubens starred in, produced and co-wrote The Pee-wee Herman Show which completed a critically acclaimed four week run at LA Live’s Club Nokia in Los Angeles. With the incredible success in Los Angeles, Reubens brought The Pee-wee Herman Show to Broadway which opened November 11, 2010 to rave reviews with The New York Times calling the show, “Yummier than chocolate;” New York saying, “Welcome Back, Pee-wee! You were sorely missed;” and the New York Post saying, “the audience screams for joy!” Three decades after his first HBO special, Reubens returned to the network with an exclusive version of the hit Broadway show.