Paul Reubens Teases Long-Rumored New Pee-wee Movie

Paul Reubens is dusting off his red bow-tie once more for a film revival of his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. The comedian confirmed the Judd Apatow-produced film was moving forward during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, but wasnt able to divulge too many details just yet. There is going to be one, Reubenssaid. And I was hoping I could make this huge announcement tonight, but its a week away, I think, from being announced.

Reubens, however, did say that production on the film wouldbegin next February and that a director had been hired as well, though he wouldnt say who. Steven Spielberg? Fallon cracked. Steven Spielberg! Reubens gamely responded, before shaking his head no and adding: Its called P.T.

As Reubens noted, news of anew Pee-wee Herman movie, and of Apatows involvement, has been bouncing around for the better part of three years now. The script was written by Reubensand comedian Paul Rust whose writing credits also includeArrested Development and Comedy Bang! Bang! though what kind of adventure the titular hero willembark on remains unknown.

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The Pee-wee personaoriginally developed in the 1970s, evolving from Reubens early improv work with Los Angeles troupe the Groundlings. After missing the final cut for the 1980 cast ofSaturday Night Live, Reubens adapted the eccentric characterfor the stage withThe Pee-wee Herman Show,which gained national exposure after beingfilmed and released by HBO as a 1981 special.

Of course, Pee-wee became a major star once he hit the big screen with 1985s Tim Burton-directedPee-wees Big Adventure. The success of that bizarre comedy helped Reubens launch a TV series, the eventual cult-classicPee-wees Playhouse, in 1986. Afilm sequel,Big Top Pee-wee, was released in 1988, though was a critical disaster and relative commercial flop.As a sign of his characters Eighties legacy, Pee-wee (not Reubens) was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1991, Reubens was arrested for masturbating in an adult theater in Sarasota, Flordia. With Pee-wee then the punchline of dirty schoolyard jokes, Reubens retired the character for mostof the decade. In 2007, the actor appeared in character at Spike TVs Guys Choice Awards, marking Pee-wees first public appearance since 1992; then in 2011, Reubens appeared as Pee-wee in aSaturday Night Livesegment opposite cast member Andy Samberg.