Disney’s new Muppet movie — now called “The Muppet Movie” — has had more actors attached to it than the Academy Awards. On the surface the plot is classic Hollywood but according to a recent interview with Jack Black, there’s an interesting kick to it. No, we’re not talking about an “Inception” type kick, although we would like readers to pause for a moment and contemplate that story arc. Instead, Black will play someone very close and familiar.
“I will be playing myself,” Black said. “It’s kind of like ‘Being John Malkovich.’ It is a new twist on the Muppets. Very cerebral and meta.” Maybe writer Jason Segel will throw a little Kafka in to the mix to really mess with our minds and market it to the 16-25 year old demographic as the existential stoner film of the 21st century. Okay, so maybe it won’t be our long dreamed of mash up of the “Magic Roundabout” and “Pineapple Express,” but we can hope right?
The classic plot has our Muppet heroes putting on a show in order to save their studio from the bulldozer. Oh yeah, did we mention it was a musical too? Well, rumor has had it that Lady Gaga is attached to the film although this is news to Muppets writer and lead actor, Jason Segel. In an interview with MTV, Segel admits that his people have asked her people but that’s as far it has gone so far.
“We’re trying. I haven’t heard if anything happened yet. This is breaking news! I’m being totally serious. We are hoping to get Lady Gaga, yeah, but we haven’t heard anything yet,” Segel said. If Gaga ends up turning down the role of a lifetime then Segel, we’re begging you, replace her with a Lady Gaga Muppet. It won’t really be that much of a stretch.
“The Muppet Movie” stars Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Rashida Jones and Chris Cooper and is directed by James Bobin, writer, director and producer of “Flight of the Conchords” and “Ali G in da USA.” The film will feature a staggering array of cameos including Zach Galifianakis, Billy Crystal, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl (as a replacement for Animal when he goes into anger management — awesome!), Emily Blunt, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Mickey Rooney. And on the subject of, oh yeah, that pesky 3D that every movie seems to be in? At least for now, Segel confirms “The Muppet Movie” won’t be served up in the latest mega format. — Ginger Liu
