The Muppets (2011)





A new Muppet movie, currently refered to simply as The Muppets, is currently in development at the Walt Disney Company. The script has been written by Jason Segel and Nick Stoller, the writer-director team behind the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. James Bobin, co-creator of the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, has been signed to direct. Walt Disney Pictures has announced that the movie will premiere on Christmas Day 2011.

According to reports, Segel plays the film's protagonist, Gary, who works with his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) and his puppet best friend, Walter, to reunite the Muppets for a big show to save their old TV studio. The theater is threatened by oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), who wants to drill for oil under the studio. Reports of celebrity casting include Rashida Jones as an ABC executive, Alan Arkin as a tour guide at the Muppets studio, and Zach Galifianakis. Michael Cera has also been mentioned as a potential cast member to perform Walter's voice.

Developments

 * In 2008, Jason Segel and Nick Stoller pitched a concept for a Muppet movie to Disney Vice President Kristin Burr. The pitch was well received and the pair was offered a deal to develop their script. In March 2008, Variety first reported that Disney signed a deal with Segel and Stoller to create the next Muppet movie; with Segel and Stoller penning the script and Stoller attached to direct. Segel has been very outspoken on his involvment, mentioning his role writing for the Muppets in many interviews and appearances. Drafts of Segel and Stoller's script, entitled The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time!!! have circulated. In the film, the Muppets must reunite to save Muppet Studios in Hollywood from an evil Texas oil tycoon. To save the studio, the Muppets have to put on a show at the Muppet Theater and attract an audience of ten million people.


 * When asked about the upcoming movie in a May 2008 interview with MovieWeb, Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear appeared playfully unaware of the project. Shocked and excited upon hearing that a new Muppet movie was being made, the pair rush out of the interview to go tell all their friends.


 * In his March 20, 2009 appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jason Segel talks about his love for the Muppets, and his then-current work on the script for the next Muppet movie. Statler and Waldorf appeared in the audience to heckle Fallon and Segel.


 * In September 2009, Disney announced a slate of projects at their D23 Expo. Among the projects listed was a Muppet film project, entitled The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made!. Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl worked on a concept for a film entitled The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! The new project may be a reference to, or a revival of, that idea. There was no mention as to Segel and Stoller's involvment, if any, in developing this script or idea.


 * In January 2010, James Bobin, co-creator of the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, was hired to direct the next Muppet film. According to a Hollywood Reporter article, "Plot details are being kept secret, but Bobin is expected to bring a musical sensibility to the project." David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are said to be producing the film.


 * On February 10, 2010 a more detailed plot was posted. As quoted: "The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time is about Gary, Mary, and Walter (a man, his girlfriend, and the man’s life-long nondescript, brown puppet best friend) getting the old Muppet gang — now retired entertainers known for the same Muppet show we know them from — together to save the TV studio that the original show was shot in. A villain, Tex Richman (nice name, on par with Doc Hopper), bent on drilling for oil underneath the studio, is due to take over the studio in weeks and the only way to stop him? Putting on a show that draws ten million viewers."


 * On March 16, 2010, The Hollywood Reporter announced, "Jason Segel has found his rainbow connection with Disney's Muppets movie, signing to star as the human lead... [Segel] also co-wrote the script and will serve as producer." James Bobin is mentioned as the director, although the plot and title of the film are "under wraps."


 * On April 22, 2010, Disney studios chairman Rich Ross reconfirmed their committment to the film.


 * On April 23, 2010, chairman Rich Ross said that the film will feature a new puppet character named Walter, who is "in felt and fur rehab now as we build him."


 * On April 27, 2010, Kermit the Frog mentioned on The Nerdist that filming may start in the Fall.


 * In a May 3rd interview with MTV, Muppets Studio general manager Lylle Breier confirmed that the next movie will be Segel's Greatest script, while the Cheapest treatment from Henson's days has been set aside.


 * While making the press rounds for Get Him to the Greek in May, co-writer Nick Stoller reported that the first table read of the script had recently taken place with the Muppets. The script read through was filmed for use later on home video.


 * Walt Disney Pictures officially announced December 25, 2011 as the release date in June 2010.


 * Interviewed at a movie premiere in June, Jason Segel revealed that shooting for the new movie will start in September.


 * On July 21, 2010, the team involved with producing the movie met with creative heads at Pixar to fine-tune the script.


 * On October 15, 2010, it was announced that Amy Adams, Rashida Jones and Chris Cooper were nearing deals to join the movie. According to a report on Hollywood.com, "Segel will star in the lead role, with Adams as his girlfriend. Jones takes the role of an ABC executive. Cooper plays the villain, a greedy man who wants to drill for oil underneath the studio. And he also has a personal vendetta against the Muppets: he never thought they were funny."


 * In an October 29, 2010 appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Jason Segel announced that filming had begun on the movie.
 * Reports of celebrity cameos have included Zach Galifianakis and Alan Arkin. News In Film also reported that Michael Cera is being considered for the voice of the new puppet character, Walter.


 * The November 12, 2010 issue of Entertainment Weekly featured a 2-page spread about the new Muppet movie, referred to simply as "The Muppets". The article featured a summary of the film's concept along with quotes from Segel and Bobin. It also included the first images of Walter, along with new photos of the Muppets and the movie's co-writer/co-star Jason Segel posing at a mock table read for the film.


 * According a November post by Thewrap.com, Jane Lynch and Danny Trejo will appear in the film. Lynch will play a prison guard responsible for keeping Trejo in line. However, in a red-carpet interview with MaximoTV.com, she stated she's not appearing in the movie, but would enjoy doing so if offered.


 * In a promotional photo for the movie, taken at the same time as the Entertainment Weekly image, Flight of the Concords co-star Bret McKenzie was shown as being part of the creative team. No word on his involvement was given. The image was released November 12, after the EW issue went to newsstands.


 * Mickey Rooney filmed a cameo for the film in November 2010.