9 to 5 (film) be a drama, but "any way we did it, it seemed too preachy, too much of a feminist line. I'd wanted to work with Lily [Tomlin] for some time, and it suddenly occurred to [her producing partner] Bruce and me that we should make it a comedy." Patricia Resnick wrote the first draft drama, and Fonda cast herself, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton in the leads, the latter in her first film role. Then Colin Higgins came on board to direct and rewrite the script. Part of his job was to make room for all three in the script. Higgins
Welcome to the Space Show Kurata, and character designer Masashi Ishihama. It was animated by Japanese studio A-1 Pictures. Masunari decided to cast child voice actors for the film's main characters through a series of auditions. The film was conceived with the themes of entertainment and friendship among children. Scottish singer Susan Boyle, who became famous after her television performance in "Britain's Got Talent", contributed the song "Who I Was Born to Be" as the film's theme song. Prior to the announcement, the film had been screened without a theme song. "Welcome to the Space Show" made its world premiere at the 60th Berlin International