When it was announced that Jason Segel and Nick Stoller had signed on to develop a new Muppet movie, I was really excited. Details were unavailable, all we had to go on was the promise that Segel wanted to return to the Muppet roots, a call back to the original Muppet films (”I’ve just grown a little disappointed with ‘Muppets in the Old West,’ ‘Muppets Under Water,’ and all these weird concept movies. I just want to go take it back to the early 80′”. My friend Devin at CHUD was able to squeeze out a few more plot details during the Forgetting Sarah Marshall Junket this weekend.
Apparently the original Muppet crew must gather together to put a show on to save an old theater. Possibly the original theater from The Muppet Show or maybe the Broadway Theater from The Muppets Take Manhattan? (probably less likely). Apparently an evil character wants to tear the place down to get to the oil underneath. Apparently said evil character has not seen There Will Be Blood, and doesn’t understand the concept of “DRAINAGE!!!!” Sounds like an interesting idea to me. At least it’s not going to be another lame classic story brought to life with Muppets.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:41 am
This is a storyline that’s been done in 2002 as “It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” staring David Arquette as an angel sent to help Kermit and crew save the theatre.
Hopefully this new plotline is different and better. See full description below….
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Released Nov. 29, 2002
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, the Muppets’ first full-length TV movie, is loosely based on the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life.
Rachel Bitterman dreams of tearing down the Muppet Theater and turning it into Club Dot, a nightclub where she can sell overpriced drinks to rave monkeys. So when Mr. Bitterman dies and she inherits Bitterman Bank, Ms. Bitterman changes the term of the Muppets’ loan so that the final payment is due before their annual Christmas show, Moulin Scrooge. When Fozzie loses the loan money, the gang looks to Kermit for guidance. But when a desperate Kermit wishes he had never been born, an angel named Daniel is sent to show him what the world would look like without him. Kermit must learn how important he really is to his friends to be returned home in time to see if he can save the theater.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:14 am
Return to the Muppet roots? You have got to be kidding me, it’s the freaking Muppets for crying out loud!
I get a kick out of how Segal wasn’t happy with the Muppets adventure storylines. The Muppets had a great run in the late 70’s early 80’s, let’s leave it at that. How much can you do with the Muppets anyway?
March 31st, 2008 at 7:20 am
“another lame classic story brought to life with Muppetsâ€
Hey! A Muppet Christmas Carol is great!