Muppet Movie Script Done
Jason Segel and Nick Stoller to Make Muppet Film
In one of those bizarre twists that can only come from Hollywood, Disney owns the rights to the Muppets while the Jim Henson Company (which the Muppet creator founded, and his kids have kept going after his 1990 death), aren't even allowed to use the word 'Muppet' when referring to their puppet creations.
After purchasing the Muppets in 2004, Disney wasn't sure what to do with them. The studio sat on the property for several years, only releasing the occasional direct-to-DVD drivel like 2005's The Muppets' Wizard of Oz.
However, the runaway success of The Muppet Show Seasons One and Two – re-issued on DVD – has convinced the Mouse House that there is still gold in them thar Muppet hills. They've commissioned Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Nick Stoller (Fun With Dick and Jane) to write a script for a potential movie reuniting Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the Muppets horde.
In a recent chat with IESB, Segel and Stoller confirmed that they have completed Muppet Movie script, and handed it to Walt Disney Pictures to peruse. Not surprisingly, the duo are tight-lipped about what the proposed movie's about. However, Stoller will direct the flick, if it is green-lit.
Segel and Stoller want to make a traditional Muppet movie
"All I can say is that we are trying to bring it back to the early '80s movies where it's not Muppets in the Sahara or Muppets Underwater," Segel told IESB. "It's the Muppets getting back together to put on a show, to save the studio."
Segel has said that he wants to get some cameos in the new movie. He confirms that he would like to get straight-laced funnyman Charles Grodin to make an appearance in the flick.
They've also placed every Muppet they could think of in the script, including some of the lesser known characters from the classic 1970's show.
"Sam the Eagle is definitely in it," he claims. "Statler and Waldorf - the whole gang!"
Segel and Stoller hope to make a traditional Muppet movie, without any CGI effects.
"Hopefully it will fall right in the pantheon of The Great Muppet Caper, Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppet Movie, you know, we're trying to make one of those," he said. He also plans to recruit Paul Williams, who wrote many songs for the Muppets, to write the music for the new film.
There's no date set for this Muppet movie, as it has yet to be green-lit.
Fun Fact: The Muppets creator Jim Henson earned his Bachelor's degree in Home Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.
