Nordling here.
Although it wasn't my favorite film of 2011, I can say hands-down that seeing THE MUPPETS with an AICN audience for the first time goes down as my favorite filmgoing experience of last year. Applause after the songs, raucous laughter, and tons of parents and kids afterwards thanking me for the screening just made for a really amazing movie night and I was so happy to bring it to you guys.
I loved Jason Segel in the movie, and you could tell that his passion for the project and for bringing the Muppets back in a big way made the movie that much more magical. So I have to give out a big "Huh?!" to the idea that Segel may not be involved with the sequel, at least the writing, according to The Vulture.
The article states that Segel's work on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and other projects has him strapped for time and he won't be involved in pre-production, though he may still star in the film. Hopefully Nick Stoller and Bret McKenzie will return - and with McKenzie polishing that Oscar due to his work on "Man Or Muppet", if he doesn't come back that will be a real tragedy - and I especially want to see Walter again. I wasn't sure the idea of Walter was going to work, but he turned out to be one of the best characters in the movie.
Who knows, maybe things will work themselves out and Segel can get back to it. Note to any MUPPETS 2 writers - I'd love to see Steve Martin's waiter return in some form, serving his famous Idaho wines and forcing people to "smell his bottlecap."
