The basic plot line of their upcoming revival film sees the Muppets trying to sell the world once again on the magic of their songs, dances, skits and timeless humor. Working at the D23 expo to sell a film about selling a show about themselves -- a meta moment that has been a staple of their genius for decades -- Kermit and the gang got off to a rip-roaring start.
Jason Segel, the writer and star behind the franchise's revival, took the stage with his green childhood idol to present some new footage from the film, which is set for a Thanksgiving release. Not to be upstaged, Miss Piggy came roaring in on a motorcycle, delighting the crowd of Disneyana fans and assembled press corps alike.
The film introduces a new Muppet, Walter, who is Segel's character's best friend and idolizes the original Jim Henson crew. Segel, Walter and a character played by Amy Adams go searching for Kermit in Hollywood, and in the first clip, they eventually find his house, which is decorated like it's still the Muppets' 80s heyday. ComingSoon.net was in attendance at the show and offers a recap of the two scenes. Here's an excerpt from their summary of the first scene.
Walter wakes up inside Kermit's home with Segel and Adams watching over him. Kermit asks what he can do for them as his butler 80s Robot appears with a silver platter of Tab Cola and New Coke. Kermit insists they don't need anything, and 80s Robot rolls away, bumping into walls and furniture while muttering catchphrases like "gag me with a spoon."
Click over to ComingSoon.net for the rest of the summary.
Segel spoke with the press after the presentation, waxing poetically about his childhood love for the Muppets.
“Kermit made me want to be an actor when I was a kid,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “When you’re a kid he’s Tom Hanks, or Jimmy Stewart.”
Here's the official synopsis from Disney:
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 the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, 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. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, Disney’s “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011.
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