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03/28/2024 06:29:06 pm

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Paul Reubens Returns To Big Screen As Pee-wee Herman

Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman

(Photo : Reuters) Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman

Appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," comedian Paul Reubens announced that Pee-Wee Herman will be returning to the big screen after almost 30 years.

Reubens shared with Fallon that Judd Apatow of "Knocked Up" fame will be producing the movie. The comedian also announced that he has already written a script and hired a director for the new flick. The director of the movie has not been named, but Reubens is expected to make a "huge announcement" next week which will more likely also include the name of the person who will be taking helm of production.

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Production for the movie has been scheduled for February next year.

Pee-wee Herman is a fictional childlike character created and portrayed by Reubens himself. First developed as a stage act, the character quickly received attention which led to an HBO special in 1981.

A film was created in 1985 entitled "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". Adult themes in the movie were toned down so that the movie would also appeal to children.

After the movie found success in the box office, Reubens then created an Emmy-winning children's series for CBS that ran from 1986-1991.

In 1988, he released another movie that revolved around the character entitled "Big Top Pee-Wee".

After a 1991 incident wherein the performer was caught and arrested for masturbating publicly in an adult theater, CBS, still running reruns of "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" decided to cancel the show.  Toys R Us also decided to pull out all Pee-wee Herman merchandise from store shelves.

The public was shocked with how disheveled Reubens looked after his mug shot was released to the press. At that time, he had been away from the public eye for almost a year and a half. Despite the lewdness of the nature of his arrest, many supporters and fans continued to hope that the actor would return.

Reubens made his first appearance after the incident at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards wherein he took the stage as Pee-wee Herman and asked the audience, "Heard any good jokes lately?" The audience cheered and gave him a standing ovation.

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