It's time to play the music!
November 12, 2010 8:49 AM Subscribe
There's a new Muppet Movie in the works. Jason Segel will be writing, starring, and co-directing the film, along with James Bobin (Of Ali G and Flight of the Conchords fame). Earlier this month, casting announcements began to trickle out: Zach Galifianakis, Jane Lynch, and Lady GaGa are all said to be making appearances in the film. Alan Arkin and Michael Cera have purportedly both been offered roles as well. The film is set to open next Christmas.
Only if it somehow involved David Foster Wallace and the Feeling Good Handbook.
posted by Madamina at 8:53 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Madamina at 8:53 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
hopes beyond hope the suck comes not to roost on this project
posted by Samizdata at 8:54 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Samizdata at 8:54 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
It would need House Of Leaves and Maru to be complete.
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 AM on November 12, 2010
This sounds sooooo amazing but...
Art for "Walt Disney Pictures Presents: The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made!", shown at D23 Expo in September 2009, has been put aside for now in favor of Segel's script.
That sounds amazinger. :(
posted by like_neon at 8:55 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
Art for "Walt Disney Pictures Presents: The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made!", shown at D23 Expo in September 2009, has been put aside for now in favor of Segel's script.
That sounds amazinger. :(
posted by like_neon at 8:55 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
pleasedon'tsuck...pleasedon'tsuck...pleasedon'tsuck...pleasedon'tsuck...pleasedon'tsuck...pleasedon'tsuck...
posted by briank at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by briank at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [6 favorites]
Jason Segel. That dude loves him some Muppets.`
posted by studentbaker at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by studentbaker at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010
Bad Ideas I Have When Reading The Links:
Lady Gaga stars as a Cruella De Ville character who wants to make a Muppet Suit.
posted by The Whelk at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [14 favorites]
Lady Gaga stars as a Cruella De Ville character who wants to make a Muppet Suit.
posted by The Whelk at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [14 favorites]
Lady Gaga is a Muppet.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:58 AM on November 12, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:58 AM on November 12, 2010 [9 favorites]
Just pulled up some more casting announcements: Paul Rudd, Ed Helms (Daily Show, Office), John_Krasinski (Office), Chris Cooper, Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Donald Glover (Community), and Jack Black.
All we really need now is Tina Fey (although that might be redundant).
posted by schmod at 9:00 AM on November 12, 2010
All we really need now is Tina Fey (although that might be redundant).
posted by schmod at 9:00 AM on November 12, 2010
Tina Fey meets the Liz Lemon muppet and they embrace.
posted by The Whelk at 9:02 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 9:02 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
rule 34
posted by The Whelk at 9:02 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:02 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Tina Fey meets the Liz Lemon muppet and they embrace.
Oh, crap. You're right. I totally forgot that exists!
posted by schmod at 9:04 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Oh, crap. You're right. I totally forgot that exists!
posted by schmod at 9:04 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Incidentally, any doubts about Segal as the engine behind this thing can be quickly dispelled by watching him as a puppets-and-musicals crazed auteur in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Dude gets it.
posted by Shepherd at 9:07 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Shepherd at 9:07 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
(ZACH GALIFIANAKIS stares at KERMIT)
ZACH: So.
(KERMIT turns away from ZACH GALIFIANAKIS slightly, unconsciously repulsed)
KERMIT: I don't think we should...
ZACH (INTERRUPTING): What's it like to be a pig's bitch? How does that work.
(KERMIT's mouth turns in while he continues to turn away from ZACH.
(Suddenly MISS PIGGY, driving the KITTY KAR crashes through a wall, hitting ZACH and knocking him and his ferns over. She is dressed in CORDON TAPE , SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS, and ANIMATED MUPPET MICE)
MISS PIGGY: HI-YAH!
posted by boo_radley at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010 [20 favorites]
ZACH: So.
(KERMIT turns away from ZACH GALIFIANAKIS slightly, unconsciously repulsed)
KERMIT: I don't think we should...
ZACH (INTERRUPTING): What's it like to be a pig's bitch? How does that work.
(KERMIT's mouth turns in while he continues to turn away from ZACH.
(Suddenly MISS PIGGY, driving the KITTY KAR crashes through a wall, hitting ZACH and knocking him and his ferns over. She is dressed in CORDON TAPE , SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS, and ANIMATED MUPPET MICE)
MISS PIGGY: HI-YAH!
posted by boo_radley at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010 [20 favorites]
schmod if this is a hoax I am finding you personally.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Navelgazer at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Muppets are awesome. Zach Galifianakis, Jane Lynch, and Lady GaGa are all terrible. I am torn.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2010
This will be just like Space Jam.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:11 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:11 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
I actually really enjoyed Space Jam. But I hope this is not just like Space Jam.
posted by padraigin at 9:12 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by padraigin at 9:12 AM on November 12, 2010
I saw the Muppet Movie on opening morning (with my Muppet Fanclub membership card in my wallet), but lost a little more interest with each one. Jason Segel is actually one of the few people that can give me faith that a new Muppet movie could be awesome. I think he has the know-how and respect to stay true to the spirit of the Muppets while updating the style and delivery to a more modern audience.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:20 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 9:20 AM on November 12, 2010
It was rumored when this started that Segel and Co. might go with the Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made idea (which does sound like a really funny idea) but I think the story they have for this one will work better to bring in new Muppet fans. Though typing the phrase "new Muppet fan" made me wonder who could possibly not be a fan of the Muppets. Cheapest Muppet Movie sounds goofy and hilarious, but pitched more toward the established and superfans.
posted by cottoncandybeard at 9:21 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by cottoncandybeard at 9:21 AM on November 12, 2010
The Muppets take Manhattan has to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Damn thing makes me cry at the end every time I see it.
On another note, a few people over the years have told me that *I* am a muppet. I take it as a compliment :)
posted by kmartino at 9:23 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
On another note, a few people over the years have told me that *I* am a muppet. I take it as a compliment :)
posted by kmartino at 9:23 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Muppets are awesome. Zach Galifianakis, Jane Lynch, and Lady GaGa are all terrible. I am torn.
You don't like enough things to like anything.
posted by hermitosis at 9:38 AM on November 12, 2010 [8 favorites]
You don't like enough things to like anything.
posted by hermitosis at 9:38 AM on November 12, 2010 [8 favorites]
I'm not going to link him, but...you all DO know that there's a MetaFilter member who writes for the Muppets, right?
posted by ColdChef at 9:51 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by ColdChef at 9:51 AM on November 12, 2010
I always wanted a Muppet Jackass movie.
posted by prodigalsun at 9:53 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by prodigalsun at 9:53 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
It leads me to wonder, with the "Yogi Bear" animated flick also coming up for release soon, when Hollywood will finally, finally, at long last, run out of past better material to cannibalize and vomit back out.
posted by blucevalo at 9:55 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by blucevalo at 9:55 AM on November 12, 2010
The only other goodness that could come from this is the re-airing of the Muppet Show
posted by Gungho at 9:57 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by Gungho at 9:57 AM on November 12, 2010
Sounds like the Hensons aren't involved at all. I know they sold the Muppets to Disney years ago, but I still have a sad spot in my chest that they aren't involved in the legacy.
posted by Gator at 10:13 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by Gator at 10:13 AM on November 12, 2010
Zach Galifianakis, Jane Lynch, and Lady GaGa are all terrible. I am torn.
This is not a sentence that is comprehensible in English. What is it translated from? I suspect there was an error in translation, and perhaps I can help you out.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:24 AM on November 12, 2010 [7 favorites]
This is not a sentence that is comprehensible in English. What is it translated from? I suspect there was an error in translation, and perhaps I can help you out.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:24 AM on November 12, 2010 [7 favorites]
Actually, if this isn't the Disney version (as stated above), I have much higher hopes. Last I heard, they were trying to pitch some sort of adult Muppet show -- more "unfunny scatalogical jokes" than Avenue Q -- and I groaned.
posted by Madamina at 10:27 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by Madamina at 10:27 AM on November 12, 2010
Woody Allan's Muppet Movie would have been fantastic if they ever released it.
posted by munchingzombie at 10:28 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by munchingzombie at 10:28 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
roomthreeseventeen: Zach Galifianakis, Jane Lynch, and Lady GaGa are all terrible.
Zach Galifianakis and Jane Lynch aren't terrible, they're just overexposed and not as selective as they should be in turning down offers. They could both use a brief media time out.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 10:39 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
Zach Galifianakis and Jane Lynch aren't terrible, they're just overexposed and not as selective as they should be in turning down offers. They could both use a brief media time out.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 10:39 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
The only other goodness that could come from this is the re-airing of the Muppet Show
Or at least finally release seasons 4 and 5!!
posted by Melismata at 10:47 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Or at least finally release seasons 4 and 5!!
posted by Melismata at 10:47 AM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
With the success of Avenue Q and all that, I wonder why there hasn't been an attempt at a full-scale, live Muppet Show on Broadway. Seems like a slam dunk.
posted by anazgnos at 11:12 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by anazgnos at 11:12 AM on November 12, 2010
Zach Galifianakis and his magnificent beard can come stay with us during his media time out, then, but only if he brings Lady Gaga. I wanna try on all her shoes, damn it!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:12 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:12 AM on November 12, 2010
Sounds like the Hensons aren't involved at all. I know they sold the Muppets to Disney years ago, but I still have a sad spot in my chest that they aren't involved in the legacy.
The Hensons still control Fraggle Rock. There's a movie in development.
They also founded The Jim Henson Legacy which is dedicated to "preserving and perpetuating Jim Henson’s contributions to the worlds of puppetry, television, motion pictures, special effects and media technology." Most of the people on the board are former Henson Associates, and his ex-wife founded it.
The Henson Company, too, has recently been releasing pages of Jim's "Red Book" where he would note what he did any given day.
posted by inturnaround at 11:18 AM on November 12, 2010
The Hensons still control Fraggle Rock. There's a movie in development.
They also founded The Jim Henson Legacy which is dedicated to "preserving and perpetuating Jim Henson’s contributions to the worlds of puppetry, television, motion pictures, special effects and media technology." Most of the people on the board are former Henson Associates, and his ex-wife founded it.
The Henson Company, too, has recently been releasing pages of Jim's "Red Book" where he would note what he did any given day.
posted by inturnaround at 11:18 AM on November 12, 2010
I SWEAR TO GOD, BEAKER BETTER GET A LOT OF FACE TIME.
I'm cautiously optimistic since Segel is so darn passionate about The Muppets and seems to "get it." That said, I'm still scared, as I tend to be about any childhood memory being flushed down the commercial, corny toilet.
Muppets are serious business, son. Meep meep.
posted by black rainbows at 11:23 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
I'm cautiously optimistic since Segel is so darn passionate about The Muppets and seems to "get it." That said, I'm still scared, as I tend to be about any childhood memory being flushed down the commercial, corny toilet.
Muppets are serious business, son. Meep meep.
posted by black rainbows at 11:23 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
Disney's putting out a Winnie the Pooh movie next summer that actually looks like a return to past Disney Pooh quality (having it capture the true original A.A.Milne quality is impossible, but the early Pooh cartoons were good on their own terms). If they can do that, a good New Muppet Movie is seriously possible.
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:27 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:27 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
Is there something wrong with Disney? Should they be on my list of things to despise, along with Starbucks and Justin Bieber?
posted by Brocktoon at 11:35 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by Brocktoon at 11:35 AM on November 12, 2010
Brocktoon: Is there something wrong with Disney?
There are plenty of Disney haters out there (Google "hate" and "Disney" and hold on tight) with various reasons and agendas for hating the company. My main problem with Disney in the modern era is that they seem to greatly water down most things they touch in an attempt to sanitize it and make "fun for everyone". For me it is less hatred and more just confidence that "it's not for me".
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:44 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
There are plenty of Disney haters out there (Google "hate" and "Disney" and hold on tight) with various reasons and agendas for hating the company. My main problem with Disney in the modern era is that they seem to greatly water down most things they touch in an attempt to sanitize it and make "fun for everyone". For me it is less hatred and more just confidence that "it's not for me".
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:44 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
I am as fond of my childhood Muppets as anyone, but post-Jim Henson Muppets just make me sad, especially the characters he voiced and performed himself.
That being said, if this does go forward I hope they get Steve Martin to reprise his role from the first Muppet Movie.
posted by usonian at 11:47 AM on November 12, 2010
That being said, if this does go forward I hope they get Steve Martin to reprise his role from the first Muppet Movie.
posted by usonian at 11:47 AM on November 12, 2010
Damn I love this place. Today MeFi is hitting many of my childhood faves between the Disney, Muppets, and Steve Martin mentions in this post and Bob Newhart and Dick Van Dyke in the the Cold Turkey FPP. Throw in some references to Mad Libs, Evel Knievel, Monty Python, Dynamite Magazine, Wacky Packages, and Smokey and the Bandit and we'll hit all of my grade school faves!
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:57 AM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
That being said, if this does go forward I hope they get Steve Martin to reprise his role yt from the first Muppet Movie.
Speaking of Steve Martin and the Muppets, here's a lovely piece from Noel Murray of the Onion AV Club about his appearance on the Muppet Show.
posted by Rangeboy at 11:59 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
Speaking of Steve Martin and the Muppets, here's a lovely piece from Noel Murray of the Onion AV Club about his appearance on the Muppet Show.
posted by Rangeboy at 11:59 AM on November 12, 2010 [3 favorites]
Lady Gaga and the Muppets on metafilter?
This is the last post.
Beeker and Bunsen as juggalos.
That, or a guy wearing a lucha libre mask and a clown nose and riding a muppet bike.
posted by zippy at 12:34 PM on November 12, 2010
This is the last post.
Beeker and Bunsen as juggalos.
That, or a guy wearing a lucha libre mask and a clown nose and riding a muppet bike.
posted by zippy at 12:34 PM on November 12, 2010
Let us never forget that Prince was on Muppets Tonight...
posted by inturnaround at 12:50 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by inturnaround at 12:50 PM on November 12, 2010
My main problem with Disney in the modern era is that they seem to greatly water down most things they touch in an attempt to sanitize it and make "fun for everyone". For me it is less hatred and more just confidence that "it's not for me".
Same here. That and the focus on females as "princesses". Is it possible that a young lady can grow up to be strong and independent, Disney? Can a girl be an interesting character if she *isn't* in this bizarrely royal context? It smacks of sexism.
posted by grubi at 2:05 PM on November 12, 2010
Same here. That and the focus on females as "princesses". Is it possible that a young lady can grow up to be strong and independent, Disney? Can a girl be an interesting character if she *isn't* in this bizarrely royal context? It smacks of sexism.
posted by grubi at 2:05 PM on November 12, 2010
Lady Gaga is a Muppet.
You're thinking of Janice. It's actually a fairly common mistake.
posted by millions at 2:48 PM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
You're thinking of Janice. It's actually a fairly common mistake.
posted by millions at 2:48 PM on November 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
My beef withe current era Muppets boils down to one thing, really: "...Bean was relegated to the background and became a routine target of Muppet violence, a fact that Brian Henson noted in the Muppet Christmas Carol DVD commentary: "Inside the Muppet Company, we love to hate Bean Bunny.""
YOU KNOW WHAT, BRIAN HENSON? THAT IS NOT OKAY."
posted by gc at 3:46 PM on November 12, 2010
YOU KNOW WHAT, BRIAN HENSON? THAT IS NOT OKAY."
posted by gc at 3:46 PM on November 12, 2010
Also, I've been thinking: The Muppet Show is something of a precursor to things like Studio 60. I'd like to see, even if it was just once, an hour-long drama written and directed by Aaron Sorkin based in the Muppet Show. No laugh track, shot-on-film look, lots of fast talking, starring Kermit, et al, played entirely straight.
I'm not sure it'd be funny. I'm not even sure it's a good idea, but I'd like to see it once. Super-drama, muppets style!
Also, please excuse my use of the Middle English word withe, or "with the" above. It won't happen again.
posted by gc at 3:52 PM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure it'd be funny. I'm not even sure it's a good idea, but I'd like to see it once. Super-drama, muppets style!
Also, please excuse my use of the Middle English word withe, or "with the" above. It won't happen again.
posted by gc at 3:52 PM on November 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Loved Studio 60, love the Muppets... that's a great idea, gc.
posted by hippybear at 4:55 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by hippybear at 4:55 PM on November 12, 2010
the thought of some 20-30 year old touching The Muppets frightens me. let's hope it doesnt suck ---and here's hoping for Gonzo and his chickens :)
posted by liza at 6:58 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by liza at 6:58 PM on November 12, 2010
Better be some Sweetums, or I am blowing up the studio...
posted by Samizdata at 7:47 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by Samizdata at 7:47 PM on November 12, 2010
You know.... I'm weirdly confident about the parade of A-List stars, primarily because it seems like they're all being used as cameos and/or minor roles. The Muppet Show (and the various movies) probably had one of the best track records for successfully incorporating celebrity appearances without seeming forced or heavyhanded.
Ironically, 30 Rock probably places second in this category -- the celebrity guest appearances are almost always perfectly-executed (Seinfeld, Al Gore, and Oprah were all great, but James Franco's role definitely took the cake).
posted by schmod at 8:54 AM on November 13, 2010
Ironically, 30 Rock probably places second in this category -- the celebrity guest appearances are almost always perfectly-executed (Seinfeld, Al Gore, and Oprah were all great, but James Franco's role definitely took the cake).
posted by schmod at 8:54 AM on November 13, 2010
Folks might want to checkout the Muppets Studio channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MuppetsStudio
If the movie has anything of the flavor of their recent creations - I'd be pretty happy :)
posted by kmartino at 11:33 AM on November 13, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/user/MuppetsStudio
If the movie has anything of the flavor of their recent creations - I'd be pretty happy :)
posted by kmartino at 11:33 AM on November 13, 2010
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posted by The Whelk at 8:52 AM on November 12, 2010 [10 favorites]