New Muppet movie in development for potential 2013 release

[Hubert]

Yeah, I'd love to see this movie straight up dedicated to Jerry, as well as maybe some minor references to him throughout. Would be a really nice way to honor him in front of thousands.

 

[Mo Frackle]

Definitely. Though I'm not sure about including it as the opening title card like MCC did. Maybe as the very first end credit? But besides that, minor references would be great as well. I'm glad that we got some references to Jim, Frank, and Jerry in the last movie (did we get any for Richard? I really don't remember).

 

[Hubert]

I actually prefer it on the opening title card, I think that's where the dedication belongs. I want to go into the moment knowing that every minute of this is in honor of Jerry and that they acknowledge that. People actually read the opening credits more often than the closing also, and I'd love to get his name out there some more.

 

[Mo Frackle]

That's a good point. My thinking was that it might make people sad if they see that before the movie. But now that I think about it, it would be better to put his mention before the movie.

 

[Duke Remington]

Though I don't care for Disney's handling of the Muppets, they seem to at least know what they're doing with release dates and stuff.

Aw, come on. You should be grateful for the wonderful (yes, wonderful) way that Disney is handling the Muppets.

Remember that no other company would've done right by them. Not even Henson.

 

[jvcarroll]

Aw, come on. You should be grateful for the wonderful (yes, wonderful) way that Disney is handling the Muppets.

Remember that no other company would've done right by them. Not even Henson.

Disney really just needs to give the Muppets a little more breathing-room and allow them to mess around a little more. They were too focus-grouped, too on-script and too careful the last film. The kind of had to be for the relaunch, but that's over now so they can all loosen up. That sort of spontaneity is really the only important component missing under Disney ownership. Otherwise, I think they've done right by the Muppets.

Henson Co. has trouble getting projects into production and the three post-Jim films just weren't quite as Muppety as the Jim days. The characters were playing parts and/or semi-lobotomized like in MFS. The Muppet brand really floundered under them until Palisades Toys sneaked them back into the niche market consciousness. The only way that I'd approve of Henson-run Muppets would be if Frank Oz headed things up and dedicated all of his time to them. That will never happen. Well, maybe when pigs fly. Even so, Disney owns the Muppets and they're much better equipped at getting things done.

 

[Drtooth]

Disney really just needs to give the Muppets a little more breathing-room and allow them to mess around a little more. They were too focus-grouped, too on-script and too careful the last film. The kind of had to be for the relaunch, but that's over now so they can all loosen up. That sort of spontaneity is really the only important component missing under Disney ownership. Otherwise, I think they've done right by the Muppets.

My complaint is with the stop and go they have with Muppet promotion. Well before the movie they had a huge momentum of Muppet stuff. The XD website, the Youtube videos, the comic books... then a dead stop until the movie, when everything was focused the movie promotion, then a dead stop immediately after the film was done in theaters, then a small uptick when the film came out on DVD, and then another dead stop.

Now I understand they're being strategic, and trying very hard not to over expose the franchise, but it seems they're walking a thin line of strategic and overly cautious, when they needn't be. The thing that completely gets me is the lack of Muppet Merchandise in Disney stores, considering that the plush dolls did gangbusters last year. Things have dramatically improved outside of that, though... but there needs to be a bigger Muppet footprint in stores by the time the second film hits. I do have a 90% approval rating of their handling, though. Henson wouldn't have even got so much as a DTV/telefilm off the ground.

Other than that, there's no excuse for not making another viral video since the movie trailers.

 

[shenphong]

I gotta admit, for a long time follower of specific franchises, this is also something I've noticed with Disney and it has bugged me to no end. Hoping that the momentum continues as I'm nearing the age where many of my friends are having kids, I'm surprised how many have never heard of the muppets.

 

[Drtooth]

To be fair, they have many other franchises to balance. The Marvel items they have at the same stores are the same things you can get anywhere else cheaper. They just need a better presence in their stores and to get season 4 out there once and for all.

Other than that, Henson hasn't had a single theatrical project move past script rewrite stage. We've at least had the first Theatrical Muppet movie in 12 years. We wouldn't have even got a DTV movie, otherwise. Look how long it took them to get that MWOZ out after VMX.

 

[jvcarroll]

Tina Fey In Talks To Join The Muppets Sequel!​

Cinema Blend.com​

Adding Tina Fey to just about anything makes it better – from the Golden Globes (which she’ll host alongside BFF Amy Poehler) to an episode of iCarley where she memorably played herself. Now she’s joining a project that we already were pretty geeked about, making a potential sequel that much more memorable.

Fey is in negotiations to star in the still-developing Muppets sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 30 Rock creator and star would join previously-cast leading man Ricky Gervais (whom some on the site don’t want) as the human characters interacting with Kermit, Miss Piggy and the crew as they embark on a European adventure. According to the trade, she will be playing the female lead, a Russian gulag prison guard. Ty Burrell of Modern Family also has been cast at this point of the development, playing an Interpol agent. James Bobin, who helmed the surprise hit from two years back, will return to guide the sequel.

Fey, obviously, is awesome, and her dry, sardonic humor should blend perfectly with the self-referential wit of the Muppets. She’s good in just about anything she attempts (if you dial in to her brand of humor), and hearing that she’s game for a Muppets movie just makes us more excited for the project’s potential.

Fey also has been beefing up her film resume now that 30 Rock is coming to an end. In addition to Date Night and a cameo in The Invention of Lying (also with Gervais), Fey is set to co-star in Admission, a character-driven comedy with Paul Rudd and Nat Wolff that’s due in theaters later this year.

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I think this is a perfect fit to round out the cast. I hope it happens. However, will she be the femme fatale? ​