The New Movie: The Muppets

[muppetperson]

Well, late or not late, it's a bad time to advertise movies. Again, movies that are released in August are doomed to failure. August is when the fall style films (semi-indie) come out. Kid's movies don't fair well. I bet if G.I. Joe wasn't dumped off in August, people would have remembered a G.I. Joe movie was made (and Marshall's wouldn't be perpetually trying to clear the toys out and raise the price and clear them out again).

I don't think we're too anxious to see the trailer. We just want news that there is one. If only they filmed a teaser with NO connection to the movie's plot, like This VHS teaser for Muppets From Space, they could have hinted one was coming out. Though, I doubt they would have had it ready for Rapunzel anyway.

Again, the best time for the trailer (and it IS sneaking up on the 6 months away period) is May-July. Hopefully we'll see one by then, and it will be attached to a movie Disney thinks will do well.

There are a few ways of getting trailers seen, and in cinemas is only one of them.Disney could release a trailer any time they see fit without having to wait a certain time for a good season or Movie to put it to.Anytime they can preview it on the internet or TV advertising.

 

[dwmckim]

I think some people said they expect this upcoming film to represent how the Muppets "really" act when not in a movie or series. If that's true, then I wonder if Statler and Waldorf will be portrayed in the film as actors who are part of the Muppets, as opposed to audience members who usually dislike the Muppets.

S&W have a very special (small, but important) part in the film. Prepare to be surprised at how they factor in.

 

[dwmckim]

I just feel that you guys are too ancious to see the trailer.The movie is seven months away and still getting edited.Maybe the timings are different over there, but here there is only 2 or 3 months lead up(which is a fair amount of time to wait for a coming soon preview).For example, I have only recently seen the Smurf movie trailer, which is a few months away.

I agree - everyone's going "Where's the trailer? Where da trailer?" I actually don't even care about the trailer right now - i just wanna know "Where's the Muppets? Where's the Muppets?" Even if the full push for the movie hasn't started, they need to be keeping up the momentum of the brand in general. It's THUDDED to a deafening halt!

 

[frogboy4]

I still think they're gearing up for something big and maybe most of the Muppets Studio budget is going to that film push later on in the year. However, there's been a trickle of merchandise.

Forget the two spankin' new Muppet ornaments came out over the winter quarter, seventeen new vinylmation figures were just released this week. Maybe they're not everyone's favorite thing, but that's a very popular toy series. There have been new t-shirts, pajamas (with Scooter and Dr. Teeth on them) along with other items making the rounds. I know we're all disappointed that new comics were pushed back in favor of a reissue to the mainstream market and Season Four of the Muppet Show has been pushed off the schedule, but we are getting stuff. We'll get more eventually.

We're anxious to see a glimpse of advertising for the new film and that seems to be kicking off around the Muppets' appearance at ComicCon this summer. We know they haven't been able to cut a trailer yet because the film is still being edited. They could be waiting for a rough cut of the film to figure out how to best market it. They could be waiting so that the Muppets promotion doesn't get lost in a sea of superhero and other large branded movies Disney has slated coming out this summer.

What I think is happening is that they're waiting to promote "The Muppets" film a little closer to showtime. Audiences are fickle and forget things quickly. It's only us die-hard fans clamoring for a teaser. They don't need to jump the gun yet. Nobody's landed. I just hope they do get that Pixar-level Thanksgiving treatment that we're hearing about.

 

[Drtooth]

There are a few ways of getting trailers seen, and in cinemas is only one of them.Disney could release a trailer any time they see fit without having to wait a certain time for a good season or Movie to put it to.Anytime they can preview it on the internet or TV advertising.

Movie trailers generally premiere with specific movies, even before they hit the net (same day at least). Television trailers (with the exception of Super Bowls) usually tend to come out a month, maybe 2 at the earliest before the film. I've yet to see Cars 2 or POTC 4 on television yet (again, aside from the Super Bowl), but Thor's TV spots just came out. And that one comes out only in a couple weeks.

I still think they're gearing up for something big and maybe most of the Muppets Studio budget is going to that film push later on in the year. However, there's been a trickle of merchandise.

Forget the two spankin' new Muppet ornaments came out over the winter quarter, seventeen new vinylmation figures were just released this week. Maybe they're not everyone's favorite thing, but that's a very popular toy series. There have been new t-shirts, pajamas (with Scooter and Dr. Teeth on them) along with other items making the rounds. I know we're all disappointed that new comics were pushed back in favor of a reissue to the mainstream market and Season Four of the Muppet Show has been pushed off the schedule, but we are getting stuff. We'll get more eventually.

We're in a very awkward period. It's too early to start merchandising a movie that doesn't come out for almost 6 months, but something needs to pop out and get the attention that there WILL be a movie. Even if they take the reprint magazine comic and put out a blurb on the cover that says "Soon to be a major motion picture" or "Muppets: The movie in theaters soon" like the Smurf Comics and every book reprint I've ever seen.

Virals need to start up again, and I still say in the meantime, just recycle some Disney XD stuff on their official YT page. Stuff will eventually happen, my guess is July (that's when the magazine comes out).

 

[Convincing John]

S&W have a very special (small, but important) part in the film. Prepare to be surprised at how they factor in.

Let me guess, they'll watch the film in a movie theater first just like we will.

Staler: "So, what did you think of the movie?"

Waldorf: "It was awful!"

Statler: "Terrible!"

Waldorf: "Disgusting!"

Statler: "Boring!"

Waldorf: "So what to we do now?"

Statler: "We're gonna do what everyone else is gonna do right now!"

Waldorf: "What's that?"

Statler: "We go on Muppet fan sites and complain about it!"

Both: "Doh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!"

Trailer or not, stuff is (sorta) coming out merchandise-wise.

I thought a simple, cheap trailer would do. Something like this:

(Gonzo appears against a black backdrop.)

"Hello all you culture lovers! It's me, the Great Gonzo! And I'm here to tell you about the..." (looks into the audience, annoyed) "Hey! Turn your cell phone off! That's not polite! Didn't you read the sign in the movie theater?" (Continues to look into the audience, presumably at the troublemaker, then straight ahead).

"Excuse me, folks."

(Gonzo dips down out of sight)

(Offscreen): "Okay, c'mere you. You are going to apologize to all these people for talking on your phone during the...Rizzo?"

Rizzo (offscreen): "Yeah, yeah it's me."

Gonzo: "You get up here right now!" (Gonzo and Rizzo surface).

Rizzo: "Oh, hey! I can see everyone up heah! Hi!" (waves)

Gonzo: "Who were you talking to?"

Rizzo: "I wasn't callin' nobody! Da cell phone light's poifect for findin' crumbs and popcorn under da seats! Da guy in da second row just dropped half his Milk Duds!"

Gonzo (sighs at Rizzo, then addresses the audience): "Okay, like I said, I'm the Great Gonzo and we're here to tell you all about the new Muppet movie coming out really soon! It's really cool! It's got music and adventure and penguins and all of my friends! There's a new guy named Walter who--"

Rizzo (yelling to offscreen audience member): "Hey you wit' da nachos in da toid row! Stop crunchin' so loud and listen up! You can do dat during a bad movie trailer!"

(Quick shot of Statler and Waldorf in a movie theater)

Statler: "At least one person in this theater has some common sense! Doh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!"

Rizzo: "Hey, Gonzo! We're almost out of time and dey don't even know da name of da movie yet! We ain't got a title screen!"

Gonzo: "Hey, no problem! I made up something better than a title screen. I made a title sculpture!" (yells to someone offscreen) "Okay, Camilla! Bring it in!"

(Offscreen): "Bawk bawk!"

(Camilla slowly drives in a flatbed truck just behind Gonzo and Rizzo. On the flatbed is the title "The Muppets" in huge, wobbling letters).

Gonzo: "TA DA! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, "The Muppets" coming to a theater near you! It's awesome! It's funny! It's musical! It's cool! It's fun for the whole family! It's the very first title for a movie ever carved out of a seven foot tall block of lime Jell-O!"

Rizzo (to audience): "Dis guy has da weirdest hobbies!" (Rizzo sighs, shakes his head and walks offscreen).

Gonzo (following Rizzo): "Well...Bill Cosby thought it was a good idea!"

(The lime Jell-O falls in a huge heap off the truck, revealing the Muppets Studio logo, then the Disney one).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until we get an official trailer, that scenario will have to do for me.

Convincing John

 

[muppetperson]

I still think they're gearing up for something big and maybe most of the Muppets Studio budget is going to that film push later on in the year. However, there's been a trickle of merchandise.

Forget the two spankin' new Muppet ornaments came out over the winter quarter, seventeen new vinylmation figures were just released this week.

Make that nineteen figures with the 2 piece Electric Mayhem drum and logo figures.And I am sure there will be more merchandise surprises along the way as we get closer to the movie being released.

 

[kslaboch]

Scene shot in Reno

Hi everyone - longtime lerker, first-time poster here. I live in Reno, NV where the Muppets filmed a short scene last night for the new movie! YAAAAAY! I stopped and took a photo of the casino sign on my way home from work today... not sure how to post it here, but it looks awesome. It says:

Appearing Nightly: Muppet Tribute Band
"THE MOOPETS"
Featuring Original Muppets Cast Member
Fozzie Bear!

There's a news story in our local paper about this (with no photo) ---
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011104270338

 

[muppetperson]

Hi everyone - longtime lerker, first-time poster here. I live in Reno, NV where the Muppets filmed a short scene last night for the new movie! YAAAAAY! I stopped and took a photo of the casino sign on my way home from work today... not sure how to post it here, but it looks awesome. It says:

Appearing Nightly: Muppet Tribute Band
"THE MOOPETS"
Featuring Original Muppets Cast Member
Fozzie Bear!

There's a news story in our local paper about this (with no photo) ---
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011104270338

They must have started to film again because I thought filming stopped a couple of months ago!

 

[ZeppoAndFriends]

They must have started to film again because I thought filming stopped a couple of months ago!

Maybe that was the main shoot and this is just second unit stuff or pick ups. Either way, it's all part of show business.

P.S. Welcome aboard, kslaboch! It's always nice to greet a new member. Now, please keep your hands and arms inside the forum until it comes to a complete stop. Thank you and have a nice day!

Bienvenido a bordo, kslaboch! Siempre es agradable saludar a un nuevo miembro. Ahora, por favor, mantenga las manos y los brazos dentro del foro hasta que se detenga por completo. Gracias y que tengas un buen día!