We now have some proof that Katherine Heigl (Bride Of Chucky, Knocked Up, “Grey’s Anatomy”) is returning to her genre roots with these stills from the Jim Henson Co.’s The Happytime Murders. Right now it looks like a much darker take on Roger Rabbit.

Directed by Brian Henson (A Muppets Christmas Carol) and penned by Todd Berger (Kung Fu Panda 2) from a story he wrote with Dee Austin Robertson, “the pic takes place in a world where puppets and humans live together, but the puppets are viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an 1980s kids TV show gets murdered one by one, a disgraced detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.”

The film noir puppet comedy has been in development at the Henson Co. since 2008. Hit the jump to take a look!