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Pixar Advises Disney Re: The New MUPPET Movie!!

Published at:  Jul 23, 2010 10:31:12 AM CDT


Merrick here...




A few weeks ago, we learned that The Powers That Be at Disney/TRON LEGACY had sought the advice of, and received notes from, the folks over at Pixar (details HERE).

Now comes word that the same situation has unfolded again...this time for the yet-to-be-greenlit Muppet movie we've been hearing about for quite some time. Seems discussions have taken place between Disney and Pixar (who is not formally involved with the making of the film) in an effort to ensure the script for the picture is as good as it needs to be, and should be, before Disney moves ahead with the project.

The Hollywood Reporter has a brief-but-interesting piece on the continuing exploration/exploitation of this corporate symmetry, which you can check out HERE.





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    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:31:16 AM CDT

    WAKKA WAKKA WAKKA

    by craptacular

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:31:23 AM CDT

    To infinity and...

    by creaturecantina

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:31:49 AM CDT

    Count me out

    by professor murder

    Not interested in Muppets in 15 years at least...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:32:28 AM CDT

    The YouTube shorts have rekindled my interest

    by sonic3305

    Color me excited

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:32:35 AM CDT

    Smart Move

    by sparhawk38

    I would like to see this, but only if it is in the spirit and quality of the previous muppet movies.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:32:52 AM CDT

    Pixar advises Disney......

    by sam jacksons wig

    ... for FUCKS SAKE don't make another fucking muppet movie!!!! HIIIIIIIIYA!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:33:51 AM CDT

    If...

    by professor murder

    If Disney/Pixar actually got involved in the production of the movie instead of just discussing how to keep the script great, then maybe we'd have summer success. But if you take it out of their hands, it's just another "Fly me to the Moon" or "Space Chimps".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:34:16 AM CDT

    THIS JUST IN!!!!

    by sam jacksons wig

    Fozzie Bear found trapped inside Michael Eiseners arse..... more shortly......

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:34:30 AM CDT

    Pixar can't make a bad movie

    by jnance1138

    (well, almost). Clearly every company should consult with them before making a film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:34:35 AM CDT

    are the 2 old critic gonna say the word Pwned?

    by beyondthunderdome2girls1cupbillcosby

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:35:32 AM CDT

    Sparhawk38

    by sam jacksons wig

    Even that spasticated Wizard of Oz pile of shit?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:36:24 AM CDT

    for God sake people

    by macready452

    The Muppets were/ar/always will be the funniest thing without getting vulgar. The more Muppets the better as far as I'm concerned.Where is FlickaPoo. he'll learn ya.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:36:59 AM CDT

    THIS JUST IN!!!!!

    by sam jacksons wig

    Piggie, Kermit and Lassetter love triangle! More shortly.....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:37:14 AM CDT

    Pixar Knows How to Storyboard

    by kevinwillis.net

    And get the movie right before it hits film. It's no coincidence so many pivotal scenes of of movies like The Incredibles were entirely different in their first incarnations . . .

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:37:53 AM CDT

    THIS JUST IN!!!

    by sam jacksons wig

    Brad Bird mistaken for Big Bird and raped by Waldorf and Statler.... more shortly.....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:38:28 AM CDT

    Muppet Movie / Great Muppet Caper

    by kevinwillis.net

    The best Muppet movies. The Treasure Island and Christmas Carol ones were pretty good, too, but were more like extended Muppet Show sketches.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:40:39 AM CDT

    As long as it has Rolf in it...count me in!!!

    by sam jacksons wig

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:47:08 AM CDT

    One step closer to letting Pixar run the whole show.

    by discogodfather

    Step 1: Put Lasseter in charge of feature animation... Done.
    Step 2: Fail to generate interest in 2D film despite critical acclaim (Princess & Frog)... Done.
    Step 3: Switch entirely to 3D animation, closely follow but do not copy Pixar template, produce technically beautiful but emotionally inferior product (Bolt, Tangled)... Done.
    Step 4: Unleash Pixar's perfect storm: TS3. Done.
    Step 5: Have Big Mickey use Pixar's flawless story team as "advisors" on their high profile projects (Tron, Muppets)... Done.
    Step 6: Pixar lays low with sequels while Disney desperately clings to established formulas (Pirates 4)... In progress.
    Step 7: John Carter of Mars proves Pixar can do live action, rides the Pixar name and rep to deserved mega-success, Disney is obsolete. Mission fucking accomplished.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:50:32 AM CDT

    Please, just make a good Muppet movie

    by moore12

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:51:27 AM CDT

    What are Pixar being asked to advise on?

    by davidwebb

    Not just on this, but Tron. Are they giving technical advice, script advice or just advice in general?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 10:53:36 AM CDT

    Second worse thing that ever happened to The Muppets...

    by jaylenotookmyjob

    ...getting bought out by Disney. The WORST thing, was, of course, Jim Henson deciding not to go to the doctor's office that one time.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:00:01 AM CDT

    Step 8:

    by jaylenotookmyjob

    ... When both Florida and California fall into total ruin thanks to (most likely) Whitman finishing the Governator's bang up job in Cali and (probably) crooked ex-CEO Scott finalizing the Bush Family's ruination in The FLA, even the theme parks will no longer be financially viable... Almost done.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:00:58 AM CDT

    I didn't even know Diseny owned The Muppets!

    by amazing maurice

    Fuck sake man, when'd that happen?Is ut because their own franchies are so shit these days they to have fucking buy up everything else?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:01:51 AM CDT

    Also, fuck my English

    by amazing maurice

  • The Muppets don't need 'updating' or more 'edge'. They're perfect as they are. If the clowns who've been given this project try to turn it into anything smarmy or hipster-cool, may they meet untimely ends.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:11:10 AM CDT

    yes just let Lasseter do EVERY FUCKING THING at Disney

    by ricarleite2

    Because they truly don't have a FUCKING CLUE what to do now

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:11:46 AM CDT

    Pixar is like Jimmy Fallon as the computer guy

    by ricarleite2

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:14:05 AM CDT

    DAFT PUNK - TRON CLIPS

    by pancho_villa

    who cares about this old news about disney/pixar when you have daft punk/tron clips

    http://tinyurl.com/3ajopt4

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:14:29 AM CDT

    Second worst thing that ever happened to Disney...

    by feralangel

    ...buying the Muppets. Now it has to figure out what to do with the old things, with their creator dead and most of the original performers gone. Lasseter needs to tell the suits: SELL. Sell these things to whoever is stupid enough to want them. Because nobody cares enough about them in enough numbers to make a profit. Oh, and the FIRST worst thing that ever happened to Disney? Letting Eisner push Katzenberg out and then letting him take over. Crap ensued. Like when Eisner almost lost Pixar and bought...those old things. Man, Walt would plotz if he knew what's happened to his company. BUYING instead of creating. Sad.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:19:50 AM CDT

    no muppets. Dark Crystal II

    by chain

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:21:31 AM CDT

    How many days late is this news?

    by rev. slappy

    I used to love coming to this site for news that was flying under the radar or actual scoops. Now all it offers is information taken after the fact (in this case several days after the fact) from other sources. At least that idiot Jeff Wells will preface things with "this is a few days late, but . . . " Was Moriarty really the guy who ran the site?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:26:56 AM CDT

    WTF are those Daft Punk clips? That can't be by Daft Punk

    by ricarleite2

    Uninspired Elffman meest Philip Glass production music shit with some electronic samples in it? This is the BGM, not pieces of music Daft Punk actually created, right?? RIGHT??? Oh... my... God...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:28:17 AM CDT

    Muppet Studios YouTube shorts are amazing

    by sifodyasjr.

    They are really starting to recapture the original Henson spirit. I think the Muppets are (finally) in the right hands. Pun intended.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:41:57 AM CDT

    I love the Muppets.

    by blackwood

    Still, always. I am okay with this news. I am very okay with Pixar running Disney.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:42:11 AM CDT

    Actually the Muppets were always hip and ironic.

    by mortsleam

    Big Bird: "I'm lost. I don't know the way."Kermit:"Have you tried Krishna?"Fozzie:"If you put enough sugar in it this champagne stuff tastes just like ginger ale!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:46:03 AM CDT

    Henson wanted Disney to have The Muppets

    by bouncy x

    he was trying to work out a deal before he died so its fitting they finally got the rights. granted the Disney of the late 80s and today are vastly different so who knows if he'd still feel the same.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 11:55:41 AM CDT

    UNLESS PIXAR CAN REANIMATE JIM HENSON

    by darth busey

    Sad to say, I'd rather they leave this alone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:08:21 PM CDT

    Rev. Slappy...as many days late...

    by drbrianoblivion

    ...as your period I'm guessing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:41:37 PM CDT

    CreatureCantina = fail

    by fat_rancor_keeper

    I love when people fail on their "first" attempts.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:50:50 PM CDT

    As long as they are Hip Hop and "Modern"...

    by venvariants

    So - all of the Muppets need to appeal to the modern kidz, so be sure to have them wearing baseball caps to the side...sorry...baseball caps to DA side, pants hanging half off their asses, cell phones and quoting the latest movies from the last two years - max. And no heart or character development - no one would get that...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:51:56 PM CDT

    Be happy that Disney got them. Some

    by dingbatty

    German company had them in the 90's and dropped the ball.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:56:25 PM CDT

    Bear left!

    by jshanw

    Right, Frog!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 12:58:13 PM CDT

    YET TO BE GREENLIT???

    by dasheight

    Damn. I thought they were filming the thing already.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 1:03:53 PM CDT

    What is it in the water at Pixar that makes these guys

    by creasybear

    better at story structure than the rest of Hollywood? What's their business model? What is the genius? I'm picturing lots of computers on one side of the room, then, like, inflatable bouncers, a rock wall, and other goofy creative/kiddie stuff on the other side. And lots of wildly random brainstorm sessions on beanbags.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 1:49:22 PM CDT

    Pixar should open a consulting company

    by alice cooper stalker

  • Jul 23, 2010 2:22:32 PM CDT

    Will this be good?

    by awardgiver

    I can't stand post-Henson Kermit, he comes off like an asshole. I really hope this works.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 2:37:16 PM CDT

    I find your lack of faith disturbing...

    by foolishfool

    The muppets are fucking awesome and hilarious, and they definitely still have potential with a modern audience. Anyone who doesn't believe so: Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody. Come on, people loved that shit, and for good reason.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 2:43:53 PM CDT

    meh

    by gk1

    muppet movies made after Hensons death were toilet jokes. Just like the charlie brown movies made after Schultz death, where theyve started showing adults faces and giving them normal voices.

    If they can capture the adult 9read esoteric) tone of the Muppet MOvie, it WILL be a hit.

    Kermit: Thats a MYTH MYTH

    Woman: Yeth?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 3:14:47 PM CDT

    Voices... what I don't understand...

    by sk229

    is that I might hear someone on youtube or, hell, even a friend, do a PITCH-PERFECT copy of Henson or Frank Oz's voice for a certain character and yet, like Looney Tunes, they ALWAYS get these people that sound sort of like the character but always feel like they're trying too hard. SOMEBODY out there with the exact same voice and comedic talent must need a gig like this, right?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 3:16:30 PM CDT

    Disney and Pixar are the same.

    by reverend toast

    Through the deal, all former Pixar stock became Disney stock, making Steve Jobs the majority Shareholder of Disney (like he was at Pixar) and John Lasetter is now the head of all creative development at Disney... so anything has to go through him. I don't see how "Disney seeks help from pixar" since they are the same Company, just different divisions.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 3:29:40 PM CDT

    Yup, not greenlit yet

    by tao_pilot

    Cuz, you know, it's not easy being greenlit... WOKKA WOKKA

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 3:34:31 PM CDT

    Disney is run by retards.

    by alienindisguise

  • Jul 23, 2010 4:30:29 PM CDT

    Re; voices

    by nasty in the pasty

    Honestly, they should hold a nationwide talent search for the best possible Muppet replacement voices (and do tzhe same for the Looney Tunes characters while they're at it). Billy West is a great voice actor, but hearing him playing Bugs Bunny, I don't hear Bugs Bunny...I hear Billy West IMPERSONATING Bugs Bunny. And there has NEVER been a good Elmer Fudd since Arthur Q. Bryan[sp?] died in the late 50's.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 4:58:26 PM CDT

    If they need script advice they should hire the legendary Gags B

    by duke_whittington

    His banana sketch is as fresh as the day it was written.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 5:13:06 PM CDT

    Here's the reason, FoolishFool:

    by feralangel

    The memory of Freddie Mercury. Search your feelings, you KNOW it's true.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 7:05:06 PM CDT

    Any chance of a great muppet script

    by kolchak

    was fucked over when Jerry Juhl died. Let alone with Apatow getting involved.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 7:43:57 PM CDT

    Muppets died

    by mr lucas

    for me when Jim Henson left this plane.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 8:00:48 PM CDT

    Bring back Charles Grodin!

    by brovinny

    He always was my favorite Muppet. (Well, next to Statler and Waldorf, that is.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 8:06:41 PM CDT

    Pixar?

    by 18to88

    Oh, good because the world badly needs another over-hyped B+

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2010 9:42:10 PM CDT

    Nobody expects the Pixar Advisers!

    by orionsangels

  • Jul 23, 2010 9:43:15 PM CDT

    Muppets fucking suck! Look at me! I'm a Rebel!

    by orionsangels

    and I'll never be any good! I'm against what everyone loves. That makes me a badass Talkbacker!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 1:06:25 AM CDT

    Why? and Not cool.

    by uncle stan

  • Jul 24, 2010 4:00:37 AM CDT

    Mr Lucas

    by sam jacksons wig

    I thought that Jim Henson was dead- what plane was he on???? Where did he get off??? PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 4:01:34 AM CDT

    THIS JUST IN!!!!!!

    by sam jacksons wig

    Fozzie Bear is now a technical term for women who don't shave their vaginas...... more shortly....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 4:06:36 AM CDT

    Okay- here's the question....

    by sam jacksons wig

    ... In the Muppets Christams Carol, how come Miss Piggy gave birth to both pigs AND frogs after Kermit fucked her? Why weren't they mutant fucked up frog/pig (hereby to be known as FRIGS...)type things????? I asked a professor of Biology at Harvard University and he had the following to say...."Put that jar of baby brains down and GET THE FUCK out of my lab!!!!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 4:14:08 AM CDT

    Mr Lucas

    by sam jacksons wig

    AAA- Jim Hensons airline of choice........ pity he got off the aircraft before it landed.....and we were told it was cancer!!!! HOW VERY DARE THEY!!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 4:15:37 AM CDT

    Jim Henson IS ManBearPig......

    by sam jacksons wig

    ...I'm SUPER SUPER serial.......

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 7:33:07 AM CDT

    Well, whoever is doing this movies...

    by the eskimo

    ...need to market this correctly. Fans of the muppets are mostly 30-40 somethings who have nostalgic memories of the little felt fuckers. They were always geared toward kids, but the brilliance was walking that line of being PG content with adult "inside" humor being the real draw. The kids didn't get it but were still caught up in the story, yet the adults loved it for it's wink wink, nod nod comedy. Now that most kids don't even know the Muppets any more just makes it all the harder. The script has to be *perfect* for this to succeed, and I am afraid instead they'll take the easy way out and we will more than likely just end up seeing Muppet parady spoofs of recent movies. I can almost guarantee their will be a Kermit Matrix scene in this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 7:42:57 AM CDT

    Sam J's Wig

    by sparhawk38

    I never say the Muppets of Oz. Wow...wierd...not a good idea... BUT
    all the more reason to make a good one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • everything you touch is magic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 2:51:23 PM CDT

    *NEWSFLASH* Pixar to advise Sly on Expendables cut

    by cartmanez

    just to see if he got it right...awaiting notes


    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 2:52:24 PM CDT

    how long before ADVISED BY THE PIXAR GUYS appears

    by cartmanez

    in trailers and on posters?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 5:04:14 PM CDT

    DiscoGodfather

    by blunted666

    Good survey. Tron Legacy will rule though. I am weirdly excited about hearing Daft Punk music through an IMAX system.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2010 9:32:29 PM CDT

    no subject

    by smithwhite3362



    Our website is: http://www.shoes2.us/

    We also sell a variety of brand-name items: The following is our best-selling items. I hope you like it

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 25, 2010 5:16:28 AM CDT

    smithwhite3362

    by sam jacksons wig

    Spam off cunt! You picked the wrong thread- no-one is on this fucker anymore!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 25, 2010 6:03:12 PM CDT

    Can Pixar advise Lucas now?

    by tikidonkeypunch

  • Jul 26, 2010 11:52:29 AM CDT

    Pixar did have a couple of bad movies

    by sithmenace

    by Pixar standards, A Bug's Life and Cars. For any other studio they would have been crowning achievements, but for Pixar they're not very good.

    Reply to Talkback

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