via twitpic from @Horse_Head

More movie news from the Brothers Krofft. Over at Collider.com Frosty reports on a quick interview with Sid and Marty.

About an hour ago I was at a Subway restaurant in Santa Monica on Pico Blvd. The reason I was there is Universal has transformed the location into a special “Land of the Lost” themed location – complete with themed tables, chairs, and they even had some Sleestaks walking around. If you live in the area, you might want to stop by and see if you can get in.
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As you can see in the video interview after the jump, they told me “H.R. Pufnstuf” is being developed at Sony and it’s being written by Dennis McNicholas – who wrote the “Land of the Lost” movie. And the big news is they want Johnny Depp to play Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo!

They also said “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” is being developed by Dana Gould at Universal. I’d imagine a big opening for “Land of the Lost” is going to help move these properties forward.

I won’t pass judgement on Depp as Witchiepoo. Does he fit in the original Pufnstuf concept? No, but neither did Anna Friel as Holly. I trust that Sid and Marty have a vision for a new Pufnstuf that Depp would fit nicely into.

I’m more interested in Sigmund. I believe his story would make for an awesome retelling. Pufnstuf may be the symbol of Krofft, but Sigmund is the heart.

The site is down right now, but head on over and check out the video later.

What about Pufnstuf or Sigmund are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

Universal has cut a deal to mount a live-action film based on Sid and Marty Krofft’s ’70s kidshow “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.” The Kroffts will produce with Jimmy Miller and his Mosaic banner. Julie Darmody is executive producer. Script for “Sigmund” will be penned by Dana Gould, a writer-producer on “The Simpsons.”

This is great news. I’m comforted that a studio would greenlight the project before “Land of the Lost” has even been released. Dana Gould is a funny guy, but I’m not sure about his brand of humor. Most of his comedic writing experience comes from “The Simpsons”, and I don’t believe that type of humor will work with Sigmund.

But, that is what us old-school Krofft fans are supposed to do right? Cast doubt about the way our beloved memories are being handled. I blame it on George Lucas, and how he raped the memories of Star Wars. I think we all expect this to happen with Sid and Marty, and I keep telling myself to trust them and wait until I see the final product.

Of all the Krofft properties, I think Sigmund will appeal to children the most. It takes place in the “real world” (unlike Pufnstuf) and the main characters are kids. This type of story has been done before, but I believe the Krofft brothers can make it even more magical.

Let’s hope that Johnny Whitaker gets a cameo.

Over at MovieWeb there are some exclusive video interviews with Sid & Marty Krofft, actors Danny McBride and Jorma Taccone as well as the director Brad Silberling. In the interview, the Krofft brothers discuss LOTL merchandising and plans for Sigmund and Pufnstuf movies.

Over at ComingSoon they have a desciption of the teaser shown at the Land of the Lost Panel.

White on black text reads:
10 thousand pounds
Over 20 feet tall
Driven by hunger
Never before witnessed by man
The scene cuts to a dinosaur walking through a prehistoric jungle. In the foreground, Will Ferrell looks directly into the camera with his back to the creature.
“He’s right behind me, isn’t he?” says Ferrell, “I’m just trying not to move.”
The theme comes up and it cuts to the “Land of the Lost, 2009″ text.

At MTV’s MovieBlog Sid and Marty discuss the future H.R. Pufnstuf movie.

“Our next one is Pufnstuf,” explained Sid (79 years young), referring to their beloved children’s show about a mayor with an oversized head and oft-suspected predilection towards marijuana. “And then after that, ‘Sigmund & the Sea Monster.’ They’re all in the works.” “Look. They’re gonna happen when they happen,” chimed in his brother Marty, 71. “With ‘Land of the Lost’ and the way this thing turned out, you just have a gut feeling.”

Let’s end with a very lengthy article at The LA Times. In the article, Sid and Marty clear up a “mistake” in their bio.

For example, take the celebrated Krofft family history: Sid and Marty are supposedly fifth-generation puppeteers, dating to the opening of the Krofft Theater in the early 1700s in Athens. It is a truly amazing tale and cited in almost every article every written about them, and it’s the first line of their bio. It is also not true. It was cooked up by a New York publicist in the 1940s. The brothers have carried it with them ever since, until Sid suddenly decided to clear his conscience in an interview for this story. “It became a trap,” Sid explained, shaking his head. “I was telling Marty the other day how bad it is that some of his children even have heard it and believe it.”

They cite the famous quote from Walt Disney, ‘The one thing to remember is, don’t ever sell anything you create and always put your name above the title, whatever you do. They’ll fight you off from doing it, but stick to it.’ That being said, “Sid and Marty Krofft’s Land of the Lost” premiers on 17 July 2009. Yes!

When asked which, if any, of their other classic TV properties is in line, Marty Krofft said, “We are working on it, we are close on Pufnstuf and Sigmund.” When asked what studio he was working with, Krofft could only say that he was days from finalizing with a particular studio.

Though “Land of the Lost” is arguably the most popular of Krofft creations, “H.R. Pufnstuf” will always be the face of Sid and Marty Krofft. I still love both shows, but I have reservations on how they could bring the wacky world of Living Island to a 21st century audience. On the other hand, “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” seems as it would be easier on a new audiences palette.

Hopefully we’ll get a Johnny Whitaker cameo in an updated Sigmund.

What do you think? Are you ready for Pufnstuf and Sigmund to hit the big screen?

Brothers Sid and Marty Krofft first came to fame with their touring puppet show “Les Poupées de Paris” in the 1970s which featured topless puppets, and puppet-on-puppet sex long before Avenue Q or Team America. They later made the move to television with the trippy H.R. Pufnstuf in 1969, which they swear was not drug influenced, nor was the Donny & Marie show, which they created as well. But here at io9, we’ll always remember their wacky-ass forays into science fiction. Find out everything you wanted to know about the Krofft scifi shows of yesteryear in today’s triviagasm.

They have an interesting take on some of the show that us loyal Krofft fans might not agree with, but it is a fun article. Also, there are fun facts sprinkled throughout the article. Go on over and check it out.