The creators of Sesame Street have taken legal action against the producers of The Happytime Murders—a raunchy comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and a cast of puppets.
According to Deadline, Sesame Street’s parent company has filed a lawsuit against STX Productions, the studio behind the upcoming flick. The plaintiffs claim the studio’s marketing strategy is harming Sesame Street’s wholesome brand, as the film depicts Sesame Street themes and is marketed with the tagline: “No Sesame, All Street.”
The lawsuit was confirmed soon after STX released the first trailer for The Happytime Murders. The film is about a serial killer who targets the cast of puppets from a 1980s kids TV show. McCarthy plays Connie Edwards, a detective who is set on tracking down the murderer.
Brian Henson, the son of Jim Henson, directed the movie.
STX has since issued the following statement attributed to its puppet representative Fred, Esq.
Sesame Street’s parent company is seeking unspecified damages as well as an injunction preventing the use of the show’s marks in connection with The Happytime Murders marketing campaign.
The film—which co-stars Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale, and Elizabeth Banks—is set to hit theaters August 17.
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