The Muppets are back back back – and you’re not going to believe who’s behind their glorious big-screen revival.
For it’s only Nick Stoller and Jason Segel – the director, star and co-writers of the forthcoming Judd Apatow-produced comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The extremely R-rated forthcoming Judd Apatow-produced comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
But, as anyone who’s seen that movie, with its Dracula musical performed by Segel’s character and featuring Jim Henson-designed puppets, will know, Segel and Stoller clearly have a love for all things Muppet. And when Segel was invited to a general meeting with Disney executive, Kristin Burr, he pitched his concept for a new Muppets movie, and was hired on the spot.
So far, no details of what that pitch involves are forthcoming, other than that the duo will write the script, with Stoller directing, but we don’t expect it to be as raucous and filled with effing, blinding and rutting as Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Somehow, we think that the new Muppets won’t be encroaching on Meet The Feebles’ territory.
But we are looking forward to the Muppets getting their edge and, y’know, actual jokes back. The last enjoyable Muppets movie was The Muppet Christmas Carol, waaaaaay back in 1992, and since then we’ve had two lame efforts, Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets From Space. That was in 1999, and since then, nowt. So it’s about time for Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, Animal, Beaker and the gang to get back in the game.
This decision, of course, parallels the hiring of Seth Rogen and his writing partner, Evan Goldberg, as the creative forces behind Green Hornet – guys who made their name with Judd Apatow comedies, before suddenly revealing hitherto-unsuspected desires to go off and shepherd their own geek properties. And we wish Stoller and Segel – who is still starring in the sitcom, How I Met Your Mother (but not for very much longer, we’d suspect) – the best of luck.
Whatever next, though – Jonah Hill as Tron? Bill Hader as Tarzan? Steve Carell in Get Smart? What’s that? Oh.
As usual, all the info on this astonishing Muppetry will be brought to you as and when we get it.