Netflix, Judd Apatow's Pee-wee Herman movie to be directed by 'Inside Amy Schumer's' John Lee

Netflix officially confirmed today that it is working with Judd Apatow and Paul Reubens to revive Pee-wee Herman in a new movie for the streaming service. It will mark the feature directing debut of John Lee.

Reubens has been hoping to make another Pee-wee movie for years, but interest finally reached a new level last fall, when his beloved Pee-wee’s Playhouse series was released on Blu-ray. In October, he told Jimmy Fallon that Apatow had agreed to produce and in December, there were rumors that Netflix had picked up distribution.

Now that distribution deal is done and production will start in March.

The film, titled Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, was written by Reubens and Arrested Development’s Paul Rust. Lee, who has directed episodes of Inside Amy Schumer and Broad City, is directing.

“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,” Rubens said in a statement.

“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 added.

Pee-wee was first created by Reubens in Los Angeles while he was a member of the Groundlings in the early ‘80s. His show was broadcast on HBO, gaining national attention. He then got his own movie, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which was Tim Burton’s first movie. A year later, Playhouse debuted and became one of the most honored children’s shows in TV history.

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