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Creature Shop to work on new Flintstones movie

Courtesy of Universal Pictures
May 5, 1999

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment have begun production on "The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas,'' director Brian Levant and producer Bruce Cohen's prequel to the 1994 box office hit. Steven Spielberg, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera executive produce.

This time the story introduces everyone's favorite Stone Age family, taking a step further back in time when Fred Flintstone, the boy from the wrong side of the rocks, courts the beautiful, young heiress Wilma Slaghoople. Along with best friend Barney Rubble, and his future fiancée Betty, Fred and Wilma head off for a romantic weekend in Rock Vegas, the hottest rock resort on the continent.

Mark Addy ("The Full Monty'') stars as Fred Flintstone, with Stephen Baldwin ("The Usual Suspects'') as Barney Rubble, Emmy Award winner Kristen Johnston (TV's "3rd Rock From The Sun'') as Wilma, Jane Krakowski (TV's "Ally McBeal'') as Betty, Joan Collins (TV's "Dynasty'') as Pearl Slaghoople, Harvey Korman (TV's "The Carol Burnett Show'') as Colonel Slaghoople, Tony Award winner Alan Cumming (Broadway's "Cabaret'') as the Great Gazoo and Thomas Gibson (TV's "Dharma & Greg'') as Chip Rockefeller.

The original screenplay was written by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan & Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. Bart Brown serves as co-producer and Dennis E. Jones is the co-executive producer.

Director Levant reteams with a number of collaborators from the first film, including Chris Burian-Mohr, art director on "The Flintstones,'' who this time segues to production designer; Kent Beyda returns as editor and Jim Henson's Creature Shop will once again design the prehistoric puppets. Additional talent behind the scenes includes director of photography Jamie Anderson ("Small Soldiers'') and costume designer Robert Turturice ("Batman and Robin''). Rhythm & Hues ("Babe'') will provide the visual effects.

"The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas'' will be released by Universal Pictures in summer 2000.