Today, Universal Pictures has released the first look of the Sleestaks from their forthcoming big screen adaptation of the classic Sid & Marty Krofft series Land of the Lost. Universal has made no secret that this movie will be a comedy rather than a direct adaptation of the series.

The movie will star Will Ferrell as washed-up scientist Dr. Rick Marshall who gets sucked through a time-space vortex into the “Land of the Lost”. Also pulled through are Dr. Marshall’s assistant Holly (played by Anna Friel) and redneck survivalist Will (played by comedian Danny McBride). Those of you who remember the television series will note that this is a change from the show’s father and two children who become trapped.

USA Today’s article on the Sleestak picture notes that:

Director Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) says he fought to keep the human shape of the Sleestak from Sid & Marty Krofft’s original production, and not give into the urge to render them as spindly computerized beings.

In the ’70s TV show, they were guys in lime-green pajamas — and looked it. The Sleestak are much sleeker now, but the film is largely a comedy, so the guy-in-a-suit look has its charms, Silberling says. “There is a sense of humor that I loved from the original show that can only come from an actor trying to negotiate the suit. If it became CG, they’d be too perfect. For the Sleestak to remain in people’s memories, it tells you that it was about who was in the suit.”

The USA Today article also noted that rather than the Sleestaks’ carrying crossbows they will draw quills from their spines and fire them like arrows. Enough talk - here the picture you’ve all been waiting for:

Head on over to Nightly’s Movie forum or Sci-Fi forum and join the discussion today!

SOURCE: Quote from USA Today and Picture from Universal Pictures via Coming Soon

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