Pee-Wee Herman ‘Big Holiday’ Return: Netflix Announces ‘Pee-wee’s Big Holiday’ Movie, Produced By Judd Apatow

Pee-wee Herman’s holiday return is good news for nostalgic fans. Netflix has announced on Tuesday that filming for Pee-wee’s Big Holiday will begin in three weeks, Judd Apatow and Paul Reubens will serve as producers on the project. Reubens will reprise the role of Pee-wee Herman.

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday will mark the return of the beloved eccentric character from the 1980s. The movie will premiere on Netflix exclusively, in all of its territories, according to Variety. No date has been given, but fans can probably expect to see the film before the end of the year.

Paul Reubens, who created the kiddie character in the early ’80s, will serve as producer with Judd Apatow. Reubens will also co-write the script with Paul Rust, who previously worked on Inglourious Basterds and Arrested Development. John Lee will be making his directorial debut on a feature-film after directing segments for Comedy Central series like Inside Amy Schumer, Jon Benjamin Has a Van and Broad City.

A Pee-Wee Herman’s return has been in the works for quite some time, but the project never found the right home, until Netflix got in the mix. The giant media company is slowly becoming a major player in the entertainment industry, moving effectively from being just a service provider to offering original content like the critically-acclaimed series House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. Movies seem to be the logical next step. Pee-wee’s Big Holiday makes perfect sense and is a move in the right direction for the ambitious brand.

The film was described by Netflix as an “epic story of friendship and destiny” about how “a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday.” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said:

“We didn’t hesitate for a moment knowing that ‘Pee-wee’s Big Holiday’ was such a passion project for Paul and Judd and we are delighted by the opportunity to introduce such a beloved character to a new generation.”

Apatow, who first mentioned the idea of a new Pee-wee Herman film in 2010, is thrilled about the Netflix deal. The 47-year-old director and producer shared:

“As a fan of Pee-wee Herman since he first appeared on ‘The Dating Game,’ I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the brilliant Paul Reubens on this film. It is a dream come true.”

Apatow served as producer on films like Bridesmaids, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and This Is 40. Pee-wee Herman has put out his very own statement about the big return, it reads:

“Judd and I dreamt up this movie four years ago. The world was much different back then — Netflix was waiting by the mailbox for red envelopes to arrive. I’ve changed all that. The future is here. Get used to it. Bowtie is the new black.”

Production on Pee-wee’s Big Holiday will start in March. What are your thoughts on Pee-wee Herman’s return?