Behind the Scenes Buzz with Jim Henson, HBO Max and Jessica Chastain

JIM HENSON CO. SETS PUPPET SHOW AT DISNEY: A month after a Muppets revival was nixed over creative differences, Disney+ is collaborating with Jim Henson Co. on a new puppet show. Dubbed Earth to Ned, the comedic half-hour series will include an alien and his lieutenant interviewing celeb guests. “Disney has a long history of giving audiences a glimpse at faraway lands and bringing new talent into the spotlight. We believe Ned is next in line,” said Dan Silver, vp unscripted originals at Disney+. “We’re lucky to have the talents of the Jim Henson Co. and the folks at Marwar Junction Productions helping Ned, Cornelius, BETI and the Clods to execute and fully realize their vision. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Ned for promising to entertain us, rather than destroy us all.” Disney+ drops November 12^th, with scripted series from the Star Wars and Avengers universes, plus library programing from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm.

HBO MAX FREE: For AT&T‘s HBO subscribers, HBO Max will be a freebie when it launches in 2020. The giveaway will affect 10 million AT&T customers, according to reports. The service is set to launch in spring of 2020, with reruns of Friends, new episodes of Sesame Street, and other originals.

JESSICA CHASTAIN TO BOW ON WEST END: Jessica Chastain has booked her first gig in London on the West End. The two-time Oscar-nom will lead an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House at the Playhouse Theatre. The show, adapted by Frank McGuiness, will open June 18^th, 2020, and is set to run until September 5^th.

ANGELA SARAJYAN, NATALIE MARTINEZ, MORE JOIN REMINISCENCE: Angela Sarafyan (Westworld), Natalie Martinez (Death Race), Oscar nominee Marina De Tavira (Roma), and Cliff Curtis (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) are joining the cast of Reminiscence. They join previously announced stars Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandie Newton and Daniel Wu. The Warner Bros film, helmed by Lisa Joy, is set in a dystopic future.