The Playlist snagged some inside details about the new Muppet movie, which is now titled, The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time. We know now that actor Jason Segal (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) will be writing the script along with Nicholas Stoller, who directed Sarah Marshall. Flight of the Conchords co-creator James Bobin is directing the film.
But what is the new Muppet movie about? Previous rumors claimed that the movie would focus on a lead character who gathers the Muppet crew together in order to save an old theater by putting on a performance. Is that plot still the one Segal and Stoller are going with? Keep reading to find out.
Here’s what the The Playlist managed to dig up from once of their sources:
“The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time” is about Gary, Mary, and Walter (a man, his girlfriend, and the man’s life-long nondescript, brown puppet best friend) getting the old Muppet gang — now retired entertainers known for the same Muppet show we know them from — together to save the TV studio that the original show was shot in. A villain, Tex Richman (nice name, on par with Doc Hopper), bent on drilling for oil underneath the studio, is due to take over the studio in weeks and the only way to stop him? Putting on a show that draws ten million viewers (see also “Heartbroken: The Conan O’Brien Story”).
The source goes on to discuss whether or not the current script is something to be happy about, but if you want to know those answers, you’ll have to go HERE to read about them.
One point of discussion that The Playlist‘s source points out is that this script for The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time is totally rooted in show business. If fans remember The Great Muppet Caper, part of what made that movie so great was the juxtaposition of having the Muppets playing real-world-based characters (Kermit, Fonzie and Gonzo were reporters, Miss Piggy was a secretary, etc.), placing their Muppet hijinks into a real-life context.
Now don’t get me wrong: Every year that I’m at Disney World (my girlfriend loves that place) I make sure to stop in MGM’s Muppet theater so that I can watch their 3D stage show again. The Muppets and Showbiz always equal fun in my book. However, as far as movies go, I kind of feel like there would be bigger laughs in seeing the Muppets (who have been out of the limelight for awhile now) scattered here and there, each of them trying to make it in the modern world, only to find out they’re better off together doing what they love: performing.
Of course, the script for The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time could very well end up telling just that kind of story. Let’s hope it does. If movies like The Great Muppet Caper or Roger Rabbit have taught me anything, it’s that human/cartoon/puppet team ups = good fun films.
We’ll keep you updated on The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time as things develop.
