Apatow to Play in Pee-wee's House

News of a new Pee-wee Herman film hit the character's official facebook page this evening, and it included a bit of info hinted at during the man-child's appearance at last week's LA Film Festival -- it will be produced by Judd Apatow.

Of the upcoming collaboration with the uber-producer, Pee-wee stated the following: "I'm so excited to finally be working with The Judds - I've always loved their music. To be honest, I have a crush on Wynonna."

The complete press release is reprinted after the jump!

Judd Apatow To Produce New Universal “Pee-wee” Film

LOS ANGELES, CA JUNE 30, 2010— Filmmaker Judd Apatow will produce a new film featuring the iconic and beloved character, Pee-wee Herman. Paul Reubens will return as the star of the film and is writing the script with actor/writer Paul Rust (Inglorious Basterds, I Love You Beth Cooper). The project is set up at Universal and Apatow Productions. Reubens teased the announcement at the LA Film Festival last Saturday afternoon where at a panel discussion he hinted “a very, very, very, very, very big name” would be producing the latest Pee-wee feature. No director has been attached to the project as of yet.

The plot of the new film will feature Pee-wee Herman, as he returns to the road in an all-new, gigantic adventure. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure marked Tim Burton’s feature film debut. The film was a box office hit and has gone on to become a cult classic, and spawned the popular and Emmy award CBS Saturday Morning TV show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse which went on to win 22 Emmy® awards.

“Let’s face it, the world needs more Pee-wee Herman,” said Apatow. “I am so excited to be working with Paul Reubens— who is an extraordinary and groundbreaking actor and writer. It’s so great to watch him return with such relevance.”

“I can’t begin to tell you how gratifying this is for me,” said Reubens. “There is no one like Judd in our business—he loves comedy with emotion and heart, and he sees what we do as art. I can’t believe I’m getting this opportunity to be working with him!”

The announcement comes in the midst of the massive resurgence for the character of Pee-wee Herman, whose theatrical production The Pee-wee Herman Show delighted fans and critics when it premiered in Los Angeles last January. The family-friendly production moves to Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theater with previews beginning October 26th. Pee-wee Herman also has a large social media presence with more than 500,000 followers on Twitter. Funny or Die’s recent “Pee-wee Gets an iPad” viral video garnered over 1.6 million views. The character who recently joined Conan O’Brien at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, is also set to be the Captain of the Buffalo Chip’s Annual Legends Charity Ride that starts in Deadwood, South Dakota as part of the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in early August. The festival will also feature the “World’s Largest “Tequila Dance.”