The Jim Henson Company is still in the process of selling its prominent property on La Brea Avenue in Hollywood, but contrary to some reports, the Church of Scientology is not the buyer, according to Deadline.
The New York Post and other outlets reported that the church was purchasing the 1917 lot once known as Charlie Chaplin Studios, but in a statement to Deadline, the Jim Henson estate was clear that is not the case.
“In regards to recent rumors about the sale of the La Brea studio lot, the Henson family is not in any business dealings with the Church of Scientology, and that organization is not in consideration as a potential buyer of the property,” a family spokesperson told the trade publication. “It is still the family’s intention to move The Jim Henson Company to a new location it can share with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, but at this time the family is not in escrow with any buyer.”
The Jim Henson Company has been at the lot since 2000, but it’s expected to relocate to Burbank to share a location with the Jim Henson Creature Shop.
The timing of that move has not yet been announced, though the Wrap reports the company will remain as a tenant at the property “for the near future,” even after the sale.