Jason Segel led The Muppets to great success last year, but we know he won’t be in the sequel, despite the return of director James Bobin. And Segel's replacement probably isn’t the most expected choice.
Ricky Gervais (yes, the one and only) tweeted that he’ll lead the film, saying he’ll “have the biggest trailer but Kermit will spend some time in my sink.”
The brash British comedian might not sound like a perfect fit for a film with Kermit the Frog and the other Muppets, but Segel’s works generally aren’t seen as appropriate for a family audience either. Additionally, Movies.com reminds us that Gervais has written a children’s book series, Flanimals.
Gervais joins a cast that incudes Ty Burrell of Modern Family, who will play an Interpol agent that once had Christoph Waltz attached.
Meanwhile, Bobin aims to direct another musical, though we’re not expecting Kermit the Frog and friends to appear in this one. The project is a period musical called Tribyville which he wrote. TheWrap reports that Disney currently negotiates to acquire the film from Gary Sanchez Productions, the production shingle run by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.
