Disney has enlisted actor/screenwriter Jason Segel and helmer Nick Stoller to create the next Muppet movie for the studio, reports Variety. Segel and Stoller will write the script and Stoller will direct.
Segel, who graduated from Apatow-produced series “Freaks and Geeks” and “Undeclared” got his first sole writing credit on the Apatow-produced Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Universal wil release the film, which Stoller directed, on April 18.
In “Sarah Marshall” Segel’s character writes a “Dracula” musical performed by puppets. Those cloth creatures were custom-made by the Henson puppeteers, and the experience emboldened Segel to pitch his concept for a Muppets movie when he was invited in for a general meeting with executive Kristin Burr. Segel got a deal in the room and enlisted Stoller to co-write and direct the project.
