THE ART OF SEQUELS

The Muppets

Co-Screenwriter
JASON SEGEL (who also plays Gary and serves as Executive Producer) first gained wide attention for his role as Jason in Judd Apatow's hit comedy Knocked Up. He subsequently wrote the screenplay, and starred as Peter, for director (and co-screenwriter) Nicholas Stoller's Forgetting Sarah Marshall. He also served as co-producer and received a writing credit on that film's sequel, Get Him to the Greek. Segel's other feature-film acting credits include Bad Teacher, Gulliver's Travels and I Love You, Man. In addition he provided the voice for Vector in the animated hit Despicable Me.
He will soon be seen in Jeff Who Lives at Home as well as The Five-Year Engagement (for which he and Nicholas Stoller also wrote the screenplay).
On television Segel currently stars as Marshall opposite Alyson Hannigan, Josh Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris, on the hit CBS comedy series How I Met Your Mother. He had a recurring role as Eric on the Fox series Undeclared, produced by Judd Apatow. He also portrayed Nick Andopolis, a lanky, fun-loving freak dreaming of stardom as a rock-and-roll drummer on Apatow's Emmy Award-nominated NBC series Freaks and Geeks.
Segel was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he continues to reside.

Co-screenwriter
NICHOLAS STOLLER (who also serves as Executive Producer) recently wrapped production on The Five-Year Engagement, which he wrote with Jason Segel.  Stoller has also been signed to write the film Stretch Armstrong for Universal. The film, to be directed by Rob Letterman and be produced by and star Taylor Lautner, is based on the popular Hasbro toy. Stoller most recently released his second feature, Get Him to the Greek, which he both wrote and directed. Jonah Hill and Russell Brand reprised their Forgetting Sarah Marshall roles (which Stoller also directed). In addition he wrote the screenplay for the modern reimagining of Gulliver's Travels. His other feature writing credits include the smash hit Yes Man.
For television Stoller wrote for Judd Apatow's celebrated Fox television comedy series Undeclared. He made the transition to screenwriting doing rewrites on numerous projects and co-writing, with Apatow, the Jim Carrey feature Fun With Dick and Jane.
A Harvard alumnus who wrote for the Harvard Lampoon, Stoller was born in London, England, and raised in Miami

The Director
JAMES BOBIN (Director) is a British director and producer and one of the most inventive comedic writers in television. He created, wrote and executive-produced the hit series Flight of the Conchords for HBO and played a key role in making it one of Time magazine's top five new television series in 2007. The show garnered seven Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series. For his work on Flight of the Conchords, Bobin received back-to-back nominations for Outstanding Directing and Writing as well as a Writers Guild Award nomination.
In 2000, Bobin created, wrote and directed Da Ali G Show for Channel 4 in England and devised the show's iconic characterizations Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Bruno (all played by Sacha Baron Cohen). He was the driving force in bringing the critically acclaimed series to the United States and was nominated twice by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for both Outstanding Directing and Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
Born in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Bobin graduated from Oxford University and went on to work at the BBC series Fantasy Football League, where he directed two seasons of the hit program. He then went on to produce and direct two seasons of The 11 O'Clock Show for Channel 4 in England, which is where he met Cohen and was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award. In 2000, he wrote and directed Thumb Candy,the first-ever documentary for Channel 4 in England about the history of video games

The Story
He's green. He has crazy friends, flippers, a penchant for pigs…and one of the most recognizable singing voices since the King. And he's coming to neighborhoods everywhere for the holidays.
Kermit the Frog is back on the big screen, and this time, he's teaming up with Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and newcomer Walter, plus the whole Muppet gang, for a brand-new, big-screen adventure in Disney's "The Muppets."
"It's funny, upbeat and full of laughs for everyone…frogs, pigs, bears…even people," says Kermit. "For new fans, it's a chance to see the Muppets in action on the big screen. And for old fans it's a chance to get together with old friends…and get a little crazy together."
On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary's girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze Muppet Studios and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the studio, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

Muppet fans unite: Lifelong Love of Kermit and the Gang Leads to Newest Big-Screen Adventure
Ranging in age from 8 to 80, Muppet fans span the globe. So it makes sense that Disney's "The Muppets" was ignited by a Muppet fan. "It started when I was a kid," says Jason Segel. "The Muppets were my first comic influence and I was in love with puppetry. I just thought it was an amazing art form."
"All comedy writers are Muppet fans," adds Nicholas Stoller. "It's the gateway to comedy. It's like the first thing you try and then you slowly fall down the rabbit hole of comedy."

Who's who in The Muppets: Muppets, Men, Women (and Everything in Between) Read more

Muppets then and Now: The History Behind the Mayhem Since "The Muppet Show" began in 1976, the Muppets have been embraced by audiences worldwide. What began with a single appearance from an unknown frog puppet became a global phenomenon that is still going strong 35 years later. Read more

A film Segel and Stoller previously collaborated on actually set things in motion, says Segel. "We ended 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' with a lavish puppet musical, and The Jim Henson Company designed the puppets. Something started growing in my belly, and Nick and I came up with this idea and pitched it to Disney. Disney liked the idea so we wrote the script."
Enter producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman--each with their own affinity to all things Muppets. "I think there's always been a timeless quality to the Muppets," says Hoberman, who cites the Muppets' recent online smash viral video "Bohemian Rhapsody." "These characters are as contemporary today as they were when Henson first brought them to life. I think people of all ages will respond to them on the big screen."
While president of the motion picture group at The Walt Disney Studios, Hoberman was behind releases like "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island." Meanwhile, Lieberman's appreciation for the franchise grew from personal experience. "I have always been a big Muppet fan," says Lieberman. "There's clearly a nostalgic love. The characters are just inherently lovable and I'm thrilled that we're bringing them together again in this movie. It's been beautiful introducing them to my own children."
And that's a good thing, says director James Bobin. Disney's "The Muppets" will welcome a whole new generation into the world of the Muppets, and Bobin can attest to the positive influence these characters can have on young audiences. "I watched the Muppets at a very early age in England, and they have significantly influenced my sense of humor and what I find funny."
Segel says it's the Muppets' sense of humor that differentiates them. "Modern comedy makes jokes at other people's expense," says the actor, writer and executive producer. "The Muppets never make fun of anybody. They're all about being good and nice and trying to make the world a better place. It's easy to get a laugh out of making fun of somebody, but the Muppets never relied on that."

Action! Filmmakers Call on Hollywood Stars to Complement Muppet Cast
There are many advantages to shooting a movie in Southern California. "Horray for Hollywood," says Kermit. "It was great to shoot so close to home. We saw so many friends…and put most of them in the movie."
"The actors and celebrities who wanted to be a part of this experience were tremendous," says producer Todd Lieberman. "There are going to be great surprises and many recognizable faces with really funny roles."
Jason Segel topped the list of stars who wanted to work with the Muppets. Says Lieberman, "Jason was super passionate about the Muppets and a massive fan. He was the spark."
The star was so passionate about the project, he not only helped write the script, he wrote a part for himself--a part that required him to sing, dance and act opposite some of the most iconic characters in the world. "In the finale of the movie there are 200 extras, 100 dancers and 50 Muppets," says Segel. "It was very surreal and it happened to take place on my birthday. I walked out from my trailer thinking I was coming to film, and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday,' including the Muppets. I kept thinking, 'I've tricked everyone. Somehow I've made this weird childhood dream come true.' It was the craziest thing ever."
Filmmakers called on Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and Rashida Jones to round out the main human cast. "Amy Adams plays Mary, Gary's love interest," says producer David Hoberman. "She's a school shop teacher in Smalltown. We thought Amy was just a perfect Smalltown girl. She is also a Muppet fan."
"I was really into the Muppet movies, the TV shows, the songs," says Adams. "It's like every kid's dream--when you're playing with your stuffed animals, you wish they'd come to life and talk to you. And now, the Muppets are real. It's so great to have that physical presence in front of you."
Cooper's portrayal of villain Tex Richman will surprise audiences, say filmmakers. "Chris is a fantastic Oscar^®-winning actor," says director James Bobin. "He brings a great level of weight to the role and I really wanted the villain in this movie to feel like a genuine threat to the Muppets. It's a difficult balance for Chris because he has to be the villain and have fun with it at the same time. He has moments of levity and moments of being serious."
Cooper says he wanted to be in the film to showcase his hidden talents--and his affinity for his co-stars. "I wanted to sing and dance in a film! And, of course, to act with the Muppets."
Jones feels the same way. "I feel like I'm in really good company--I really do think the Muppets are timeless. And besides being with the Muppets, it's just cool to be in a movie with Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Chris Cooper. Give me a break. That's so cool!"

NO SMALL FEET:  Disney's "The Muppets" Embraces Big-Music Roots
The Muppets have long been known for their big musical numbers, so filmmakers made sure that Disney's "The Muppets" not only maintained the tradition but hit it out of the park. Both original songs and classic audience favorites are featured in the film, designed to maximize the fun and envelop audiences in the best of Muppet mayhem.
Bret McKenzie serves as music supervisor for Disney's "The Muppets." "I know Bret from 'Flight of the Conchords,' says director James Bobin. "We used to watch 'The Muppet Show' quite a lot when we were writing 'The Conchords' together. We'd watch 'Mah Na Mah Na' and 'Hugga Wugga' during breaks. In one of our 'Conchords' episodes, we even included a Muppets tribute. So we love the Muppets. We thought about songs from the previous movies and how that would feel now. We thought about Jason and Amy--Jason's a good singer and has some moves, and Amy's obviously a fantastic singer and dancer. The music is incredibly important because of the rich tradition of Muppet music."
"Music was always an integral part of the original Muppet show and Muppet films," adds McKenzie. "It's hard to think of the Muppets without thinking of songs like 'Rainbow Connection' or 'Mah Na Mah Na,' or Animal smashing a drum. Kermit is probably the world's most famous banjo player. I loved the original Muppets sound and I wanted this film to stay in that world. I tried to use as much banjo as possible."

SCORE
Christophe Beck was called on to create the score for Disney's "The Muppets." "My job is to help tell the story musically, providing a sort of emotional glue," says Beck. "I had to pay special attention to blending the many styles of music so that it felt cohesive." 
Like McKenzie, Beck recognized the importance of music in Muppet history. "'Rainbow Connection' has essentially been synonymous with the Muppets since the first movie in 1979," says the composer. "But there is a rich tradition of scores there too: Hans Zimmer and Michael Giacchino have scored Muppets movies. Part of the tradition is that the music takes the Muppet characters seriously, treating them like real people with real emotions and conflicts."
Beck utilized a full orchestra to express the breadth of emotion on screen. "To give things more character, I featured some solo orchestra instruments I feel are typically underused--tuba, cimbasso, timpani and bass clarinet, among others. I also found spots to use nonorchestral instruments--Kermit plays the banjo, after all--to bring more personality into the music and make it feel more tailored to the Muppets."

SONG AND DANCE
McKenzie penned the opening and finale song titled "Life's a Happy Song," performed by Jason Segel, Walter and Amy Adams. "I wrote this in New Zealand when I was in a particularly good mood," says McKenzie. "I sat down at the piano and it came out very quickly. It's a simple little song and James Bobin really liked it. He then asked me to make it into a gigantic musical number involving an entire town singing and dancing. That took the rest of the year. One of the highlights of the job was watching an orchestra play this song for the final score. I had, only a few months earlier, been sitting at home playing it on my piano and suddenly there was an entire orchestra playing my song. That was a magical moment."

"'Life's a Happy Song' starts off with Gary and Walter while they're brushing their teeth," says producer David Hoberman. "They make their way outside and into Smalltown, USA, along the way picking up people who sing and dance along with them--the butcher, the baker, the milkman, the flower-shop keeper--everybody gets involved. It's one of those musical numbers that hearkens back to the old movie musicals of the '50s."
The film tapped 60 dancers for the opening musical performance, and veteran choreographer Michael Rooney, son of Hollywood film legend Mickey Rooney (who performs a cameo in the film), stepped in to work his magic. "Michael choreographed all the dance numbers," says Hoberman. "He has amazing energy; he's really creative and very nimble."
Rooney says that the choreography came with its challenges as Muppets are typically shot from the waist up. "All my choreography had to be for them--Miss Piggy, Kermit, Walter and the rest--incorporating more of the hand [movements] above their waists because most of the footwork would not be seen."
McKenzie also wrote a song called "Man or Muppet." "It's a power ballad that deals with a man/Muppet identity crisis," he says. "We've all been there. I hammered it out on the piano, imagining I was Harry Nilsson or Eric Carmen."
The music supervisor says the song required strong vocal performances from both Jason Segel and Walter. "Luckily, they did an amazing job," says McKenzie, who also wrote a song with Ali Dee called "Let's Talk About Me" for Chris Cooper. "Turns out he's dangerous on the mic," says McKenzie of the actor.
Not to be outdone, Amy Adams and Miss Piggy teamed up for a duet created by McKenzie called "Me Party." "It needed to be sad but also up-tempo, so I came up with a party track for the lonely. I wrote this song sitting in a cafe, drinking iced teas and getting weird looks from the waitress when I did Miss Piggy impressions. Amy Adams did a great job of channeling her inner disco diva. Miss Piggy was predictably difficult to work with; I think she was dealing with some personal issues."
Also featured in the film is the original song "Pictures In My Head," performed by Kermit the Frog, Fozzie, Gonzo, Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman. Andrew Bird is the writer/artist behind the song "The Whistling Caruso," a song performed by newcomer Walter in the movie.
While the new songs are sure to please, no Muppet movie would be complete without some signature songs. Disney's "The Muppets" features "Rainbow Connection," written by Paul Williams and Kenny Asher, performed by Kermit the Frog and The Muppets, and, of course, "Mah Na Mah Na," featuring Mahna Mahna and The Snowths. And, of course, a Muppet movie wouldn't be complete without covering classic rock songs and contemporary favorites. The Muppet Barbershop Quartet has taken on Nirvana's classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit," while Camilla and the Chickens cluck their way through Cee Lo Green's hit "Forget You."
"The Muppets don't sound like anyone else," says McKenzie, "and that's what's great about them. It was a huge honor to work on the [film] and I took the job very seriously, even when I was recording a man pretending to be a penguin."
"Life's a Happy Song" returns for the film's finale scene, which shut down Hollywood Boulevard for two evenings. "We had 80 dancers and 300 extras," says Rooney. "It was huge, amazing and fabulous. I think the audience is really going to be blown away once they see it."
Kermit agrees. "I love the finale," he says. "It's got everyone in it--Jason, Amy, Walter and all the Muppets. I don't want to spoil the movie, but I think it's a very happy ending."
From Walt Disney Records, the soundtrack for Disney's "The Muppets" hits stores and at online retailers Nov. 21, 2011, including:
· "The Muppet Show Theme"--The Muppets
· "Life's a Happy Song"--Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Walter
· "Pictures in My Head"--Kermit, The Muppets
· "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard"--Paul Simon
· "Rainbow Connection (Moopets Version)"--The Moopets
· "We Built This City"--Starship
· "Me Party"--Miss Piggy, Amy Adams
· "Let's Talk About Me"--Chris Cooper, Nathan Pacheco
· "Man or Muppet"--Jason Segel, Walter
· "Smells Like Teen Spirit"--The Muppet Barbershop Quartet: Rowlf, Beaker, Link Hogthrob and Sam Eagle
· "Forget You"--Camilla and the Chickens
· "Rainbow Connection"--The Muppets
· "The Whistling Caruso"--Andrew Bird
· "Life's a Happy Song Finale"--Entire Cast
· "Mah Na Mah Na"--Mahna Mahna and The Snowths

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THE ART OF SEQUELS

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