After seeing Forgetting Sarah Marshall the other night at SXSW, it was no surprise to me that Disney had hired the star/writer Jason Segel and director Nick Stoller behind Judd Apatow’s latest to develop the next Muppet movie. Segel and Stoller will write the screenplay and Stoller will direct.
A major sequence in Sarah Marshall features a huge vampire love story stageplay acted out with puppets, which were created by the Henson puppeteers. Also at one point Segel’s character also sang/played The Muppet Show theme song on the piano. Segal pitched an idea for a new Muppet movie during a general meeting with executive Kristin Burr.
The early Muppet films were absolutely genius, but the last few failed due to an attempt to dumb down the plot/jokes to appeal to young viewers. I’m sure Segel and Stoller understand what direction to take the franchise, it’s just a question of if Henson/Disney will allow them the chance to actually make it happen.
Discuss: Could Segel and Stoller create another great Muppet movie, or is the Muppet franchise dead?
source: Variety
March 13th, 2008 at 3:31 am
This is the strangest movie news in some time - but sounds potentially awesome.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:39 am
interesting, cant say im excited, but definitely something i might check out when its finished.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Could not imagine a better image to start off the day to than Beeker’s handsome mug.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Easily could be great.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Discuss: Yes. and No.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’m interested, but reserved. I revere the Muppets,
they were my childhood idols, and have passed on that
love and devotion to my daughter. I would LOVE to
see a new Muppet movie, but I cringe with a little bit
of fear at the same time.
Is there a market out there? Sure, for kids, for adults
it may be small, but those with kids will take them. Family
films sell (even the bad ones).
Sesame Street is still a very popular series for
children and they often feature the most popular Muppets
Kermit and Miss Piggy.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:58 am
pshhh, muppet franchise will never die!
March 13th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Disney will not allow this to be any good. Just wanted to get that in there. Watch the original Muppet Movie. There is no way in hell that would be made now.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Mimimimi mi, mimi mi mimimi mimi mi.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I’m interested, so long as it doesn’t further delay The Power of the Dark Crystal…
March 13th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Wow, strange indeed… but I certainly think it could mean good things for the Muppet franchise. It seems like these Apatow alums can do no wrong so hopefully this is different.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
dumb
March 13th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
The muppets have been around for so long, and accumulated so much history…it seems like any muppet movie now would suffer from sequel-itis. I just can’t imagine how fun and/or original it could be with all that baggage behind it. I’ll be surprised if it turns out well, but I’ll reserve judgment until then.