Since it was announced a couple of years back that “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” duo Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller would write, and Stoller would direct, a new Muppet movie for Disney, there hasn’t been a lot of news on the project, other than a possible title: “The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made!” and we weren’t even sure if the project would ever happen as both Segel and Stoller are busy boys, and already have quite a bit on their plate. It turns out we’re not half wrong, as the Vulture are reporting that Stoller won’t direct the film, being too busy with completing “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” spin-off “Get Him To The Greek,” and prepping an untitled “Back to the Future” style comedy that will star Zac Efron.
Instead, the blog suggests that James Bobin, a director and writer on “Da Ali G Show” and “Flight of the Conchords” is Disney’s first choice for the project, being told by an insider from the studio that “the movie is James’ to direct – if he wants it.” The only complication is that he’s also being offered an Judd Apatow-produced comedy called “Bridesmaids,” which is written by and set to star Kristen Wiig, and Disney are aiming to have the Muppet movie rolling by the summer, so Bobin’ll have to pick.
We like, but don’t love, the patchy “Flight of the Conchords,” but Bobin actually seems like a damn good choice – the assumption has long been that the Segel/Stoller script would be a musical (Segel’s a musician, and has written songs for “Get Him To The Greek”), and Bobin’s demonstrated he can deftly blend music and comedy, and our gut tells us he’s got the right sensibility for the film. This writer’s love for the Muppets knows no bounds, but it’s far, far too long since we had a decent movie featuring the felt ones, but knowing Segel’s fandom for Jim Henson’s creations, and the promising pick of Bobin, this looks like it could deliver.
Update: THR’s Heatvision blog is reporting that Bobin has taken the job directing the Muppets movie. Apparently “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller passed on the Muppets gig to go to Sony for “21 Jump Street,” and Bobin threw his hat in the ring for the Muppets as opposed to the ‘Bridesmaids.’ Heatvision also takes the time to describe Segel as a “Muppet Freak.” Sounds kinky!
