How a 2011 reboot brought the Muppets back from the brink of obscurity
In short: After years of fading from mainstream culture, the Muppets returned to the big screen in 2011 with a meta-narrative that mirrored their own real-world struggle for relevance. By acknowledging their own history and lack of fame, the film successfully revitalized the franchise while winning an Academy Award for best song.
Development for the seventh theatrical Muppet film began in March 2008, following Disney's 2004 acquisition of the franchise. Writers Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller were tasked with a creative reboot, specifically addressing the characters' recent absence from public life. Directed by James Bobin in his feature-length debut, the film was the first in the series to directly reference The Muppet Show and previous cinematic entries, grounding its story in the reality of the Muppets' faded stardom.
The plot follows Walter, a devoted Muppet fan, who discovers that an oil magnate named Tex Richman plans to demolish the Muppet Theater to drill for oil. To save the site, Walter and his human brother Gary help Kermit the Frog reunite the disbanded cast to host a telethon. This production marked a significant transition for the performers; it was the first theatrical film not to star Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson in their traditional roles, with Eric Jacobson and Matt Vogel stepping in to perform characters like Miss Piggy and Animal.
Released in November 2011, the film was a critical and commercial triumph, grossing over $171 million worldwide against a $45 million budget. It received universal acclaim for its humor and music, notably winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Bret McKenzie's "Man or Muppet." The success of this revitalization paved the way for a sequel, Muppets Most Wanted, released in 2014. Beyond the box office, the film served as a poignant farewell for Jerry Nelson, who provided an uncredited voice cameo, marking his final appearance in a Muppets production.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Muppets (2011 film)
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