Full Breakdown
A24 Moves Forward with R-Rated Puppet Comedy “Goblin”
7/22/2026, 1:52:06 AM
Casting and Production Details
A24 is moving ahead with the out-of-the-ordinary comedy Goblin, confirming that Will Forte is in talks to join the cast alongside Skyler Gisondo. Veteran actor-director Kenneth Branagh will provide the voice for the titular goblin, an “anatomically correct green critter” brought to life with a practical puppet rather than CGI. Production is slated for the fall, with director David Mikalson steering the project.
Director David Mikalson’s Path to the Feature
Mikalson, a Washington-state native, left film school early and built his reputation through short-form work and a proof-of-concept puppet piece. His script for *Goblin* generated considerable buzz, prompting roughly one hundred meetings with industry representatives before the project secured representation at major agencies, including WME and Kaplan/Perrone, as well as legal counsel Chris Abramson. The script’s uniqueness attracted a bidding frenzy that ultimately landed the film with A24.
Production Approach and A24’s Role
The film is described as a raunchy buddy comedy that blends live-action with a practical puppet, drawing tonal comparisons to *Ted* and *E.T.* Mikalson invested his own funds to create the goblin puppet, leaving him financially strained until A24 stepped in to provide the necessary financing. The distributor’s track record of supporting emerging directors is cited as a key factor enabling Mikalson to realize his vision without resorting to a micro-budget version of the project.
Outlook
With Forte’s recent work in *The Four Seasons*, *Nebraska*, and *MacGruber* adding to his résumé, and Branagh’s involvement adding star power, the film is positioned to attract attention for its unconventional blend of adult humor and practical effects. Additional casting announcements are expected as production ramps up for the upcoming fall schedule.
