new muppet movie starring jason segel the muppet

[Edward J Grug III]

God forbid I suggest that the Henson company be the ones to come up with and initiate Muppet movies. Yeah, I'm the Hitler of the internet. Worse than Oprah even. Quick, let's start another Spanish Inquisition aimed primarily at me. I'm like a living cross between Spam and Tofurky. Get the pitchforks and gravy.

I was just pointing out a factual error so that you wouldn't look stupid in the future. I was trying to help, honest.

The rest of the post addressed the fact that these guys AREN'T nobodies, and they in fact have more under their belts than previous people who have made excellent Muppet Movies, and that maybe you could hold off a little on being upset about something that you read on the internet.

[bratpop]

Hmm, I made no factual error. I simply said, as I just reiterated, that the HENSON COMPANY shouldn't need some fanboys to get a new Muppet movie into motion, regardless of how much they are owned by Disney (or not). The article did actually mention the Henson company as being the people first pitched to. And they do still make all the Muppet movies. I'm pretty sure Disney does not have the rights to make a Muppet movie without the Henson company, and vice versa. Or if they did, they would never risk it. It would be like a baseball team buying the name "Barry Bonds" and then just naming one of their players "Barry Bonds."

As for how famous or accomplished these "guys" are, I couldn't care less. It doesn't change the principle of some fans pitching an off the cuff Muppet movie idea they probably thought up while stoned, and Henson thinking it was better than any of the ideas they've had. And really, since Henson agreed to a Fraggle Rock movie... or musical, or something so hideous I've blocked it from my memory, that's probably true. But this is more a comment on the Henson company and not who's making the new Muppet movie. Tom Cruise could have come up with the idea and it would still be outrageous. Joel Hodgson or Jeff Dunham could have been the ones to get the greenlight pitch. It would still defy the basic laws of nature and prove that God does not exist. What is Brian Henson so busy doing? It's not like he ever decided he hated Muppets.

[Edward J Grug III]

Hmm, I made no factual error. I simply said, as I just reiterated, that the HENSON COMPANY shouldn't need some fanboys to get a new Muppet movie into motion, regardless of how much they are owned by Disney (or not).

So you didn't say this then?

Seriously, who? The Henson Company must not get anybody interested in making Muppet movies if they grab the first offer they get. They must have all be slouching around the office in a drunken stupor after the dismal failure of Muppet Wizard of Oz. What, are Brian Henson's arms broken? Things are pretty wretched when they have to start allowing official Muppet fan-films because they've all lost the drive the company was founded on.

The article did actually mention the Henson company as being the people first pitched to. And they do still make all the Muppet movies. I'm pretty sure Disney does not have the rights to make a Muppet movie without the Henson company, and vice versa. Or if they did, they would never risk it. It would be like a baseball team buying the name "Barry Bonds" and then just naming one of their players "Barry Bonds."

I didn't say the Henson Company won't be involved, just that ultimately, it's not up to them, The Muppets are now owned by Disney. I am pretty sure the dudes from the Henson company will be involved, sure,

As for how famous or accomplished these "guys" are, I couldn't care less. It doesn't change the principle of some fans pitching an off the cuff Muppet movie idea they probably thought up while stoned, and Henson thinking it was better than any of the ideas they've had. And really, since Henson agreed to a Fraggle Rock movie... or musical, or something so hideous I've blocked it from my memory, that's probably true. But this is more a comment on the Henson company and not who's making the new Muppet movie. Tom Cruise could have come up with the idea and it would still be outrageous. Joel Hodgson or Jeff Dunham could have been the ones to get the greenlight pitch. It would still defy the basic laws of nature and prove that God does not exist. What is Brian Henson so busy doing? It's not like he ever decided he hated Muppets.

Well, since you're very familiar with the idea they pitched and how long they worked on it (and weather they were stoned while they did it) I guess I'll just have to concede the point.

Brian Henson is busy doing all of the other things the Henson Company are doing, like he is a member of Puppet-Up, he was one of the lead puppeteers for the new Tinseltown pilot, and he is most likely involved in the other shows they have in production, like the Unstable Fables dvd movies (the first one came out this month) The Skrumps, The Dark Crystal sequel and the recently announced Sid The Science Kid.


But, ultimately, what this whole stupid conversation comes down to, is that for some reason you are enraged by something that YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

[bratpop]

And for some reason you are overjoyed by something that you know nothing about. Oh, but you're the better man because you're "positive." I could see how you would be seriously annoyed by opinions if every news article said, "Please do not discuss this news item" at the bottom, but I'm pretty sure that would be the opposite of what the media exists for. So fucking what if you like something and I don't? Why do you care so much? Do I call YOU out personally and say how stupid you are for having an opinion about a vague announcement? No, because I don't care about other people's opinions unless their opinions result in a movie or TV show or change gas prices or elect a bad president or burn my house down.

[Edward J Grug III]

Hahaha, you're a dick.

I'm happy because a Muppet movie is being made.

I am not in love with the product yet, I am waiting until I see it until I make a decision one way or the other.

Because I am not a dick.

[Courtney]

I am not in love with the product yet, I am waiting until I see it until I make a decision one way or the other.

I am.  STOKED!  My love for Jason Segel knows no bounds.  I'm a huge HIMYM fan, HUGE F&G and Undeclared fan, and I think looking purely at the talent and potential, this could be awesome. 

And for some reason you are overjoyed by something that you know nothing about. Oh, but you're the better man because you're "positive." I could see how you would be seriously annoyed by opinions if every news article said, "Please do not discuss this news item" at the bottom, but I'm pretty sure that would be the opposite of what the media exists for. So fucking what if you like something and I don't? Why do you care so much? Do I call YOU out personally and say how stupid you are for having an opinion about a vague announcement? No, because I don't care about other people's opinions unless their opinions result in a movie or TV show or change gas prices or elect a bad president or burn my house down.

I tell ya, I have a migraine from the constant eye rolling and brow furrowing caused by this comment.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Jason Segel recently revealed that he is planning on making a brand new Muppets movie. The actor spoke to MTV about this: "I've just grown a little disappointed with 'Muppets in the Old West,' 'Muppets Under Water,' and all these weird concept movies," sighed Segel. "I just want to go take it back to the early 80's, when it was about the Muppets trying to put on a show. That's what I'm trying to bring back."

In his upcoming comedy, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," Segel plays a broken-hearted musician with a hilarious desire to make a puppet musical out of Dracula's life. Segel wrote the scene based on a real-life idea he once had, and was thrilled when it came time to live out his lifelong fantasy of becoming Jim Henson.

"When you see the movie, you'll see that there's a puppet musical at the end. I've always loved puppets, and the Henson Studios designed those puppets for us," Segel explained of his inspiration. "While I was there, I was talking to them and asking when the next Muppets movie was coming out, and they said 'We don't control the Muppets anymore, Disney does.' And that just made me think back to those early 80's Muppet movies, and The Muppet Show."

Segel also revealed plans to enlist big-name cameos for the flick; in fact, he's already approached several members of the Judd Apatow crew that includes Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig and Paul Rudd. He added that "Miss Piggie and Fozzie Bear" were also among the stars of his script.

there, now all your hope is renewed... maybe

[Edward J Grug III]

YES.

"While I was there, I was talking to them and asking when the next Muppets movie was coming out, and they said 'We don't control the Muppets anymore, Disney does.' And that just made me think back to those early 80's Muppet movies, and The Muppet Show."

cough cough cough

[bratpop]

That's great, except for the "I think Judd Apatow cronies are celebrities" part. I mean, ...From Space had a pre-really-famous Katie Holmes, but that other person from Dawson's creek just makes the movie dated now. If they can get some real, timeless celebrities like Steve Martin again, fantastic. And not to quibble, or maybe just to quibble, they did the "Muppets putting on a show" in their recent Christmas TV special and parodied Moulin Rouge, and I loved it but I don't think anyone else did. So that's not an instant success formula. Also, the original Muppet movie, not all that great. The show was the best, the movies not so much. My favorite was the Great Muppet Caper, but I read reviews about these now and apparently they weren't the classics I thought they were. If Jim Henson couldn't totally master the art of a Muppet motion picture, I don't really think anyone can.

Personally, I think you have to have some sort of gimmick, otherwise it's just Muppets Tonight at the movie theater and not a lot of people will bother. The gimmicks are fine, what I hated was "The Muppets in a classic public-domain literature adaptation." A Christmas Carol (not the TV special) bored me to tears just because I've seen the story so many times. Treasure Island seemed a little weird because it was so dark and serious. And I think it's pretty stupid to see the Muppets not playing themselves. That said, I think a Muppet James Bond parody would be a good idea, and I see a "gimmick" movie as being just an extended skit from the Muppet Show, rather than random running around with no plot. I think the basic novelty of the Muppets has worn too thin to just have a generic Muppet movie. Still the principle remains - somebody said they wanted to just make a Muppet movie with no gimmick and the Henson/Disney reaction was, "Oh... we never thought of that." Must be the fumes from all that craft glue.

[Edward J Grug III]

Tries SOOOO hard to find something to complain about.

[bratpop]

bratpop sucks. yes, that's all I have to contribute to the world.

[Edward J Grug III]

bratpop sucks. yes, that's all I have to contribute to the world.

Nice comeback.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Jason Segel has previously mentioned that he and his writing partner, Nick Stoller, will develop a new Muppet movie. The idea was to go back to the roots and to get away from all the bizarre stories that have been written in the past.

"I've just grown a little disappointed with 'Muppets in the Old West,' 'Muppets Under Water,' and all these weird concept movies," said Segel. "I just want to go take it back to the early 80'."

During a press junket in Hawaii for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which Segel stars in, CHUD was able to get a few details about the upcoming Muppet movie. Here is what the site says:

"Apparently their Muppet film is going to be incredibly old fashioned, with the familiar Muppet characters putting on a show to save an old theater (the theater from The Muppet Show?). The danger? An evil character wants to tear the place down to get at the oil underneath."

[bratpop]

So let me get this straight... the original Muppet movie isn't a bizarre story? A frog hitches a ride with a bear and they fight against a guy who wants to start a chain of frog leg restaurants, and a nameless animal turns into a giant after drinking an experimental potion? THAT'S NOT BIZARRE??

And again, I reiterate... they tried this formula already in the Muppet Christmas special starring Whoopi Goldberg as God. It was a take on It's a Wonderful Life, with a subplot of an evil character who wanted to tear down the theater. It had plenty of current references and guest star cameos and jokes for a modern audience, and aside from not having Frank Oz as Piggy it was pretty good. Or as good as you'd expect. The whole point of making a Muppet movie is to make it like a movie. You know, with things that people find interesting enough to pay ten bucks to see. What a crazy "gimmick." It's not a platform for people to relive their childhood. The "Muppets in the Old West" and "Muppets Underwater" were actually the better ideas these guys had! I don't actually remember them making movies "like" those. I'd love some of what Segel is smoking, because it sounds like he thinks he's seen some rather interesting movies. But a quick look at IMDb (or using your memory for those of us not stoned) will tell you the only "gimmicks" they've done are a Muppet Christmas Carol (which is not even a style, just a story), Muppet Pirates and Muppets From Space, which was really nothing like what you'd assume Muppets IN Space would be (that would be Pigs In Space, and I'd sooner buy a ticket to that). And I'm not ranting because I hate anything. There's nothing here to hate yet. It's just kind of annoying when some C list celebrity thinks he can fix the problems with the Muppet franchise based on problems that he's completely made up! Mate, the Marx Brothers in the old west may have been a flop, but the Muppets have never done anything like that. I didn't like the pirate movie, but that was one movie, not a long string of failures.

[D.B. Barnes]