The long-in-development “Sesame Street” musical movie is changing homes, shifting from Warner Bros. Pictures to Netflix. The move marks a major reset for a project that has been in the works for years — and it likely means starting over almost entirely.

A Project Years in the Making

The “Sesame Street” film was first announced right before the pandemic hit, with an impressive creative team attached. “Portlandia” director and co-creator Jonathan Krisel was set to direct, while Anne Hathaway and Chance the Rapper were lined up to star. Comedian and filmmaker Bo Burnham was tapped to write the original songs.

But the project’s path has been anything but smooth, and its latest move signals significant changes ahead.

The Move to Netflix

According to a report from The InSneider, with confirmation from The Hollywood Reporter, the film has officially shifted from Warner Bros. to Netflix after the studio lost the rights.

The fallout from that change is substantial. Krisel is no longer involved, and Hathaway is reportedly out as well. Notably, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” filmmakers The Daniels had been in talks to produce the project if it landed at Universal — but with Netflix now winning the film, there is no official talent attached.

Back to the Drawing Board

It appears the movie is essentially starting fresh. A new writer is expected to be hired within the next few months as the project rebuilds.

On the production side, Jonathan Eirich and Michael Lofaso’s Rideback — the company behind the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” film — will produce alongside Sesame Workshop.

What the Movie Was About

While the story could change under new creative leadership, the previous synopsis offered a charming premise. The film was set to follow Big Bird and his friends after they are mysteriously transported to Manhattan and find themselves seemingly unable to return home to Sesame Street.

In the city, the beloved characters team up with a history show host to help save her series from cancellation and prove to the world that their home truly exists — all while dodging an evil mayor determined to stop them.

A Logical Fit

The film’s relocation to Netflix isn’t entirely unexpected. The streaming giant began carrying the long-running PBS series last year, making it a natural new home for the franchise’s big-screen ambitions.

For now, fans of Big Bird, Elmo, and the rest of the gang will have to wait and see how the rebooted project takes shape. But with Netflix backing it and Sesame Workshop on board, the classic characters appear poised for a fresh start — even if the road to the big screen is taking a few unexpected turns.