ROTTEN TOMATOES: Jason Segel to Write New Muppet Movie

Jason Segel to Write New Muppet Movie

Fingers crossed for a foul-mouthed confrontation between Gonzo and Jonah Hill.

by Jeff Giles | March 14, 2008

In the last few years, the members of Camp Apatow have proven there's still an audience for R-rated comedies. Now, one of them is preparing to work some of that box-office magic on the younger set.

Variety reports that Jason Segel -- veteran of Apatow productions such as Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, Knocked Up, and the Segel-scripted Forgetting Sarah Marshall -- has signed on to write the script for Disney's next Muppet movie, with Nick Stoller on board to direct. Sound like a strange combination? The story behind it doesn't disappoint. From the article:

In "Sarah Marshall" Segel's character writes a "Dracula" musical performed by puppets. Those cloth creatures were custom-made by the Henson puppeteers, and the experience emboldened Segel to pitch his concept for a Muppets movie when he was invited in for a general meeting with exec Kristin Burr. Segel got a deal in the room and enlisted Stoller to co-write and direct the project.

The Muppets' screen fortunes could use a boost -- though 1979's The Muppet Movie, 1981's The Great Muppet Caper, and 1984's The Muppets Take Manhattan were all solid box-office performers, subsequent films haven't fared as well. Given that The Muppet Show had a fairly adult sensibility -- and the original movies were as appealing to parents as they were to kids -- Segel's involvement is intriguing, to say the least.

Source: Variety

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(1-20 of 21 posts) | Reply

bethehero7404 writes:
on Mar 14 2008 05:31 AM

My brother has the first two seasons of The Muppet Show on DVD and I think that there is a lot of adult humor in it. My two daughters were watching it and I had to sheild their eyes from blowing up monsters or other being eaten by others. I can't believe how my eyes have changed since I became a father. I will say that a lot of the show was classic. My favs to watch over and over are Mark Hamil, Steve Martin and Christopher Reeve as guest stars, Rita Romano singing FEVER with Animal on drums, Elton John singing Benny and the Jets.

I hope they don't ruin the Muppets with a more adult theme. There is a HUGE difference between adult humor in the 70-80s to adult humor NOW. Just watch it and don't screw up yet another classic.

(Reply to this)

Elixor writes:
on Mar 14 2008 05:54 AM

Yeah, I'd say that they've got one chance to get this right. The more people that they can get from Henson's crew to help with this the better.

I haven't seen the Muppet Show in many years. I should definitely look at getting those on DVD and watching them again.

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donwillymo writes:
on Mar 14 2008 05:55 AM

Yeah adult themes, miss piggy blows kermit while gonzo and fozzy double penetrate her from the back! Then they switch...come on camp apatow, you know you have it in you! The least they could do is a scene where they're all smokin a blunt or something...there's always a drug reference in there movies anyway. Thank you for your time

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daveslayer writes:
on Mar 14 2008 06:10 AM

No Country for Old Muppets

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jpotter writes:
on Mar 14 2008 07:36 AM

the muppet movie is one of my favorites, and i love the muppet show - there's a reason the movies since 'manhattan' haven't made money...they've sucked (though 'a muppet xmas carol' captured the spirit pretty well).

having said that, i could get on board with this. i'm sure they wouldn't do it in a way that was contradictory to what the muppets have been before, and the series could certainly use a reinvigoration - it's a risk, which is what they were all about on 'muppet show' and 'muppet movie.' intriguing, indeed...

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phoenixphire24 writes:
on Mar 14 2008 07:50 AM

I love pretty much anything the muppets do and I still watch 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' every year around the holidays. Some have been better than others, but I'm hopeful for this new one. The muppets have always been kid and adult friendly.

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donwillymo writes:
on Mar 14 2008 08:24 AM

Menace II the Muppets!

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EdwardBlake writes:
on Mar 14 2008 08:25 AM

I was just thinking about this the other day. With so many franchises getting 'reboots' its about damn time someone write a good Muppets script...and not one that merely went through the motions like 'Treasure Island' or 'Muppets in Space.'

They should make it a big, hyped up summer deal like last year's Simpsons Movie.

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romsy writes:
on Mar 14 2008 08:37 AM

Man, Muppet Treasure Isaland is my favorite, but yeah, i support the Apatow web bringing in the Muppet's, so when does seth rogen show up with paul rudd and jonah?

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donwillymo writes:
on Mar 14 2008 08:41 AM

I think Gonzo needs to come out of the closet already. Maybe revealed in a poker game with friends in true Apatow style.

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iggybumtastic writes:
on Mar 14 2008 09:02 AM

I love the Muppetts, so anything new is good by me.

talk movies at itsfilmtastic.co.uk

(Reply to this)

scaryneedles writes:
on Mar 14 2008 09:15 AM

Oh my God, even though this isn't an announcement for an Apatow-muppets movie, it's the next best thing.

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Eldorado writes:
on Mar 14 2008 01:02 PM

Good lord.. #1 post, covering the kids eyes for muppets 'blowing up' or being eaten?

Oh how pansy our kids are these days...

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gortheartsme writes:
on Mar 14 2008 02:43 PM

I am certainly interested. I really like Segel in the movies, he always plays the dirty minded, yet slightly sensitive character, so maybe he will tap into that and give us a good movie. Fingers crossed.

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Darkness My Old Friend writes:
on Mar 14 2008 03:39 PM

In reply to this comment (#1631761)
I love people making satirical stabs at profane things that Segel could do in this movie, being completely ignorant of how much they pale in comparison to Meet The Feebles. A sickeningly vile parody of The Muppets has already been made, kids.

That said, I am cautious about this project but it's hard to imagine a better chance for a renaissance for the Muppets. The members of the Apatow crew have exhibited a requisite combination of humor, humanity, and intelligence in their humor. Just because they can make dick and blunt jokes funny doesn't mean that's the entire reach of their wheelhouse. In particular Segel seems to have the right level of sensitivity for the project, with more of a sense of innocence and less a sense of abject profanity than Rogan. It's only a little, but it may be enough.

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smi1ey writes:
on Mar 14 2008 03:47 PM

i will see it. don't care who writes. i

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romsy writes:
on Mar 14 2008 04:28 PM

In reply to this comment (#1631940)
gonzo out of the closet? he has a girlfriend, duh, camilla the chicken! lol

(Reply to this)

Basilides in Alexandria writes:
on Mar 14 2008 08:50 PM

In reply to this comment (#1631761)
That's been done before by Peter Jackson in his awsome puppet movie Meet The Feebles!

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Dinobot77 writes:
on Mar 15 2008 12:30 AM

This is one of those movies that could definetly back fire on them if made incorrectly. The Muppets is more than a cult following. Pretty much, every living adult in this country has seen one of the first three Muppet movies and adored it as a child. Therefore, if they value their lives, they will not screw this up.

I agree with everyone else. They should really market this with greatness. The more of Jim Henson's crew and studio they hire the better.

Fraggle Rock will be next!

(Reply to this)

bigbrother writes:
on Mar 15 2008 10:21 AM

More of the grumpy old men on the balcony. Even at age 30 any time I see those guys I smile. Classic.

(Reply to this)

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