When it comes to interviewing people in the film industry, there are a great many unwritten rules if you want to be considered professional: Be reasonably respectful and polite, don’t beg for autographs and don’t dribble on yourself. Beyond that it helps to have some idea what to ask, and it’s certainly considered a bit beyond the pale if you become a dribbling wreck.

As a general rule, I like to think that I stick to these. I certainly try to. Unfortunately, there are times when it’s not that easy, and certainly my recent interview with Miss Piggy was one of those. If you heard our recent round table interview with Piggy, Kermit and director of The Muppets, James Bobin, you’ll realise that even being in the same room is a hilarious and surreal experience. It’s even weirder when it’s just you, a Muppet and a film crew. So weird, in fact that not only did I start laughing like an idiot mid way through, but we ended up talking about fluffing.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I talked dirty to Miss Piggy.

The Muppets hits UK cinemas tomorrow and you can read our review of this awesome movie right here.

Co-writer and star Jason Segel and director James Bobin courageously embraced the arduous task of recapturing the magic of The Muppets for a new generation, safe in the knowledge that the adult ‘kids’ out there who remember the show first time around would only need a few bars of Sam Pottle and Jim Henson’s iconic theme tune to secure a captive interest.

However, this alone cannot guarantee a whole new movie’s success, and it’s because Segel and Bobin – of The Flight of the Conchords fame – have stuck to making this a puppet character-driven piece full of the coy innocence of the 70s’ franchise, and created another new Muppet character called Walter who gingerly and affectionally takes centre-stage that The Muppets (2011) still triggers the warm and fuzzy nostalgia from 30 years ago.

In the Segel-Bobin film, The Muppets’ biggest fan Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) convinces his human brother Gary (Jason Segel) to make a pilgrimage to the old Muppet studios while Gary and girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) holiday in LA. But while there, Walter overhears that the studio grounds and the theatre that housed The Muppet Show are being sold to a greedy oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), who has other more fatalistic plans for the site. Geared into action, Walter and co unite to convince The Muppets, including Kermit The Frog, to strive to raise the funds to save the historic site by putting on another The Muppet Show/telethon.

Although unoriginal but highly relevant, the plot – good sense overcoming corporate evil – has wisely been kept simplistic to allow the main focus to be reintroducing The Muppets and their personalities that have merely been briefly showcased through other movies and TV specials in the past few decades, but never reunited in full force to show their appeal. Walter represents the ardent, ever-loyal fan here, like a human-puppet ambassador to guide new viewers to Muppet nirvana. In doing so the often-overpowering and self-depreciating Segel screen personality actually takes a back seat with chirpy Adams, content with playing the goofy human support in some awkward but hilarious song-and-dance moments, letting the true felt-made stars shine.

Even with ample ammunition to go on an entertainment offensive against the likes of reality TV shows and faddy TV diets the TV corporations now deliver, the writers never get preachy or cynical, and in turn lose the gracious charm and ever lovable, sweet nature of the original show – even with some of the latter having fallen on hard times, like Fozzie Bear performing in some back-of-beyond bar with his less talented Muppet tribute band, The Moopets.

That said the Muppet global roundup that takes up a good percentage of the run-time, which includes Kermit, Walter and co relocating Kermit’s lost love, Miss Piggy, in Paris, working as the fashion editor of Vogue with Emily Blunt as her assistant (a Devil Wears Prada nod), is both a necessary introduction and a counterproductive snag in that its significance triggers more thrill factor for established fans, but might leave the younger viewers the filmmakers hope to target a little restless.

Indeed the only saving grace is the Muppets are so recognisable that both demographics are likely to rally behind the troupe to save the establishment, and the good-natured and earnest way they go about getting support wins over in a family-friendly way. And every Muppet Show needs its star guest that allows us to rekindle our fond affection for the zany Jack Black comedy, who as the ‘kidnapped star victim’ actually plays against type in trying to escape. There are also a host of other celebrity appearances to boost the campaign too, while Cooper has a ball in true one-dimensional baddie mode trying to bring the curtain down on the night.

We defy anyone over the age of 30 not to get emotional when the lights do go up and Kermit takes the stage – after the inevitable speedy, made-for-TV tidy-up. With all the firm favourites united and back where they belong, and old and new tunes to inanely grin along to, the Segel-Bobin resurrection is nothing short of inspiring, thought provoking and filled with authentic affection, making it a trip out to the cinema not to be missed.

****½ (4.5/5)

Amy Adams’ career in recent years has seen a terrific rise, and it’s been great to see her gaining more and more recognition, already having three Oscar nominations to her name for her roles in Junebug, Doubt, and The Fighter.

Her upcoming roles are most certainly numerous already, including The Muppets (which comes in the UK out this Friday), Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited The Master, the Jack Kerouac adaptation On the Road, Zack Snyder’s Superman film Man of Steel, and Trouble with the Curve opposite Clint Eastwood.

To go on top of all of them (with all but the last having finished filming already), THR report that Adams has now signed on to both star in and produce an adaptation of comedian Steve Martin’s 2010 novel, An Object of Beauty.

Courtesy of Waterstones, the plot for the book looks a little like this:

“Lacey Yeager is beautiful, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC art world by storm. She begins her career at Sotheby’s, amidst the winks and nods of the fabulously wealthy. But hungry for more – and pursued by a whiff of scandal – Lacey migrates to edgy Downtown, watching Hirsts and Warhols multiply in value before her eyes. Charming men and women, old and young, rich and even richer, Lacey’s ascendancy seems assured. But when the art world bubble looks set to burst, a secret from her past rears its head, threatening to undermine everything she has worked for.”

The film will be Adams’ first producing credit, and as her name is becoming more well-known among audiences, it seems she’s looking to take an even bigger role in the filmmaking process, so here’s to hoping that we can look forward to much more from her in the years to come. No word yet on who’ll be adapting the novel or helming the project, but hopefully we’ll have more news to bring you soon.

Trouble with the Curve is currently in pre-production and is scheduled to be released in the US on 28^th September this year, which means that it will almost certainly go first on Adams’ schedule, with a quick production expected. With a bit of luck, maybe An Object of Beauty will be next in line, giving us another chance to see the brilliant actress in a leading role. Things are very much looking good for her, which is excellent to hear.

Justin Timberlake (The Social Network) has signed on to star opposite Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) and Amy Adams (Junebug) in The Trouble with the Curve.

Written by newcomer Randy Brown, The Trouble with the Curve centers on an ageing baseball scout (Eastwood) who takes a road trip to Atlanta with his daughter (Adams) to take a look at a hot prospect.

Robert Lorenz, a long-time collaborator of Eastwood’s, will make his directorial debut on the film, which is scheduled to begin production later this month.

The Trouble with the Curve will be released in the US on September 28.

Timberlake was last seen in Andrew Niccol’s less-than-stellar sci-fi thriller opposite Amanda Seyfried (Chloe).

Source: Variety

Although Clint Eastwood seemed to have long since abandoned appearing in anyone’s films except his own (he last stepped in front of the camera for someone else back in 1993 for In the Line of Fire), that all looks set to change with “Trouble with the Curve”, a new film about an ageing baseball scout who takes his daughter on the road for his final recruiting trip.

The director of this new venture will be Robert Lorenz, who has worked with Eastwood for years as his producing partner and assistant director, but has yet to take the director’s reins on his own. He will work from a script by Randy Brown, also a first-timer. Needless to say Eastwood and Amy Adams will play the father and daughter pair and Matthew Lillard (Scooby Doo, Scream, Without a Paddle) and Joe Massingill are also in talks to join the party. If they do, Lillard looks to be in the frame as a fellow scout and Massingill a baseball player that Eastwood is checking out.

Lorenz clearly has set his sights on adopting Eastwood’s famed “get on with it” approach, as the film is scheduled for release on 28th September. Even without the lengthy post-production schedule that would beset a more effects-heavy picture, that’s still a pretty nifty turn-around. No doubt Eastwood will help shepherd Lorenz along if it is needed.

Thanks to Collider for this one.

You can never have too much Muppets and we’ve been gifted with this new poster which we’d like to share with you.

I still can’t get used to Kermit standing, nor Gonzo’s ‘heroic’ pose but any poster with Fozzie in it is worth taking a gander at. The film is out in the UK next year (yes, still annoyed about that) but our US cousins had their fix last week. Turns out it’s a great film… marvellous!

The Muppets is directed by James Bobin​ and stars Kermit the Frog​, Miss Piggy​, Fozzie Bear​, Gonzo, Animal, Jason Segel​, Amy Adams​, Chris Cooper, Walter and Rashida Jones​.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and 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.

IMPA pointed us t’wards this one.

Just last week, we reported that after Sandra Bullock had to exit Trouble With The Curve due to a busy schedule, two brilliant actresses were being considered for the female lead in her place in the form of Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon.

At the time, I was rooting for Amy Adams because I love her work and am looking forward to seeing more of her in the years to come. It seems like my hopes might be looking good, with Variety reporting that an offer is now out to the actress for the lead female role.

The film focuses on Clint Eastwood in the lead as,

“an ageing baseball scout, who’s losing his sight, and heads on a last road trip to Atlanta with his daughter to scout a hotshot prospect.”

The female lead is that of Eastwood’s daughter, and I think Adams would be perfect for the role. Penned by relative newcomer Randy Brown, the film will be the directorial debut of Eastwood’s long-time collaborator and fellow producer, Robert Lorenz, with whom Eastwood has worked on Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, and many more films.

Eastwood was originally to be directing A Star Is Born next, but with Beyoncé Knowles announcing her pregnancy, that’s been put on hold, and Trouble With The Curve is set to take its place. So let’s hope that this can get into production pretty soon. Adams is currently at work filming Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, but her schedule is looking perfectly light after that, so with any luck, we’ll be hearing more of Trouble With The Curve soon, hopefully with Adams accepting the offer.

While the population of the UK wait like expectant children at a Christmas shop window for the unveiling of the new Muppets film (out in February) the States are about to feel the fuzzy might of the latest movie with its release this week. A fact which makes this particular offering all the more tantilising.

Coming Soon have nine clips from the film and each one is a lot of fun, with Piggy’s take on a movie classic from the 80s my particular favourite, and it draws to a close one of the most successful and hilarious marketing campaigns of recent years.

The cinematic return of The Muppets is a welcome one, yet there was no knowing if writers Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, along with director James Bobin, had a decent grasp of the essence of Muppetry.

What we’ve seen so far, and something which the early Stateside reviews appear to compound, is that this is a true Muppet film, and a welcome return to form after some less than successful dalliances apeing literary classics.

Here’s a couple of the clips, head on over to CS for the rest,

More Muppets today, with a well-timed jab to the ribs of The Twilight Saga in the midst of its global release week, and these new posters are just perfect.

With any other film there would be a distinct danger of oversatuaration but this campaign has been running for a long, long time (and thanks to a thoroughly irritating release delay for us chumps in the UK will run a little longer) and there hasn’t been a misstep along the way.

Every franchise or series The Muppets have targeted they have nailed perfectly, and while it’s not an exaggeration to offer up the equation that Anything + Muppets=awesome it’s still a sight to behold.

Our excellent friends at Den of Geek had the exclusive look at these fine posters. I wonder what’s next…

Here are the images,

Back in October, we got the excellent news that Clint Eastwood would be making his return to acting in Trouble With The Curve, after Beyoncé Knowles’ pregnancy put production on his next directorial project, A Star Is Born, on hold.

Just a few days after that, word came that Sandra Bullock was in talks for the female lead, the role of Eastwood’s daughter in the film. The Playlist now report that Bullock has decided to pass on the part, and now two more brilliant actresses are being eyed for the role in the form of Amy Adams (The Fighter) and Reese Witherspoon (Water for Elephants).

The script has been penned by relative newcomer Randy Brown, and will see the directorial debut of Eastwood’s long-time friend and producing partner, Robert Lorenz, focusing on Eastwood as,

“an aging baseball scout, who’s losing his sight, and heads on a last road trip to Atlanta with his daughter to scout a hotshot prospect.”

Both Adams and Witherspoon are fantastic actresses in my book, and I think both would do a brilliant job in the role. The exact nature of their potential involvement isn’t yet clear, so it’s not certain whether they’re on a wish list or if they’ve been approached as Bullock was. I’m personally hoping for the former, simply because I love what I’ve seen of Adams to date, and really want to see more.

I thought Witherspoon’s performance in Water for Elephants this year was pretty excellent, and Adams’ performance in The Fighter earned her a much-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Witherspoon will next be seen in McG’s This Means War (which we got a trailer for last month), due out on 17^th February next year, and Adams will next be on the big screen in The Muppets, due a week earlier on 10^th February, both of which should do really well.

Of the two, Adams’ schedule is looking a little lighter, currently working on Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated Man of Steel, with nothing concrete lined up to follow it, whilst Witherspoon is at work on Jeff Nichols’ Mud with her Disney film Wish List set to follow. Whoever the female lead goes to, whether it is Adams, Witherspoon, or another actress entirely, this is certainly a film to keep your eye on. The premise is great, and I can’t wait to hear more about it.

Disney have released a sneak peek at the opening dance sequence from the highly anticipated The Muppets this week.

The clip is short but it certainly lets us know what we are in for. And that’s a whole load of fun, familiar faces and goofiness. Now all we need is for February to hurry up.

The Muppets follows Walter (Jim Parsons), the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) who plan to stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever in attempt to raise $10 million to save the Muppet Theater.

The trio reunit Kermit with the rest of the Muppets gang who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino house 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.

The film also stars a number of other big names including Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Neil Patrick Harris, Zach Galifianakis, Jack Black, Ricky Gervais, Mila Kunis, and Selena Gomez, and is set to be released on 23rd November in the US and on 10th February, 2012 in the UK.

Read more about The Muppets and watch the dance sequence clip below:

Source: Collider.

We thought that the parody trailers for The Muppets movie were over but now our friends over at Digital Spy have released a new UK trailer for the film and this time they take on Bollywood! Check out the great new trailer below.

The Muppets is directed by James Bobin​ and stars Kermit the Frog​, Miss Piggy​, Fozzie Bear​, Gonzo, Animal, Jason Segel​, Amy Adams​, Chris Cooper, Walter and Rashida Jones​.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and 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.

Back in May, we got a look at a teaser image for Paul Thomas Anderson’s highly anticipated and long-awaited follow-up to 2007’s There Will Be Blood, which remains as yet untitled. It wasn’t much, and didn’t give us a look at any of the cast, but it was still something – and for those of us who are PTA fans, anything is always good news.

This time around, courtesy of Collider, we’ve got another promo image to share, now in the form of a poster (though, it doesn’t even really qualify for being a poster, more like an inverted front cover of a script, but still), along with a full synopsis for the film. And you’d better believe this is going to be awesome.

The project sees Anderson reteaming with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who takes the lead on this, with a brilliant supporting cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Laura Dern.

“Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Thomas Anderson (the acclaimed director of, There Will Be Blood, Magnolia and Boogie Nights), this story stars Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and Academy Award-nominee Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line). Set in America in the years following World War II, a charismatic intellectual (Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization and taps a young drifter (Phoenix) as his right-hand man. But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor. A truly one-of-a-kind drama, which promises magnetic virtuoso performances, the film marks the fifth collaboration between Anderson and Hoffman, following Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch Drunk Love.”

The film will be Phoenix’s first film following his “exit” from the acting world with his mockumentary, I’m Still Here, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him and Hoffman together on this. The film is now in post-production, so hopefully we’ll be getting some actual images from it soon, and with any luck a title too. ‘The Master’ has been the title associated with the project for some time now, though it isn’t official, so it will be interesting to see whether or not Anderson sticks with it. Whatever it’s finally called, it’s going to be awesome.

The Weinstein Company picked up the worldwide distribution rights just before Cannes this year, and though there’s still no word on a release date yet, I’m hoping it will be coming sooner rather than later. Without further ado, here’s the promo poster. (See what I mean about it just being an inverted script cover? Regardless, I cannot wait for this.)

Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller are bringing The Muppets back to the big screen and there’s a new glimpse of the film out today.

The merry band of Yahoos have given us this clip which is, fairly obviously, from the early part of the film and sees our new Muppety friend Walter learning of his impending trip to the fabled Muppets studio. I am just as excited as Walter considering I’ve watched the scene when he, Segel and Amy Adams meet their hero and what happens then. Suffice to say there were tears.

The lucky US get this film months ahead of us in the UK with a Thanksgiving release planned across the pond. For some odd, stupid and frankly unfair reason we’re stuck with Muppet hysteria until February next year. I am not ok with this.

Here’s your clip friends,

Disney have released this amazing new and final parody trailer for The Muppets which we get to see in UK cinemas 10th February 2012 which feels like far too long away, especially when it’s out in the US for Thanksgiving. In this trailer, we get to see them parody Paranormal Activity, The Twilight Saga and Happy Feet. Scroll down to view and enjoy!

The Muppets is directed by James Bobin and stars Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Walter and Rashida Jones.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and 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.

Everything, and I mean everything, that we’ve seen so far for the upcoming feature film The Muppets has been amazing, and I think it’s a pretty fair assessment to say that an enormous number of people are looking forward to this film.

The film has been written by Jason Segel and fellow collaborator Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and will see the feature debut of director James Bobin (TV’s Flight of the Conchords). And it looks brilliant.

We’ve got the second full trailer for the film to share with you, courtesy of Yahoo Movies, and it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s got a few clips that we’ve seen before – though they hold up really well to repeated viewings nonetheless – and plenty of great new stuff for us to enjoy. It should be so much fun for all the family, giving us the magic for all the different generations that have grown up with The Muppets over the past few decades.

The Muppets has also got a terrific cast lined up, led by Segel and Amy Adams, with performances from Neil Patrick Harris, Jack Black, Rashida Jones, Mila Kunis, Katy Perry, Ricky Gervias, Zach Galifianakis, and many more.

And, as Statler and Waldorf (who I know best for playing the Marley brothers in my personal favourite Christmas film, The Muppet Christmas Carol) joke about in the trailer, it won’t be in 3D! So no higher ticket prices, and no attempts at gimmicks, or anything like that. Just Muppets magic.

The US is lucky enough to be getting it at the end of next month, but we have a bit of a longer wait to see it here on 10th February next year. Until then, and without further ado, here’s the brilliant new trailer. Enjoy.

Images from Man of Steel, Zack Snyder’s take on the Superman mythology, seem to be coming in thick and fast now. .

We’ve already been privy to a grizzled Supes (don’t you think Henry Cavill is looking more and more like the perfect choice with every new images which rolls in?) and his rather paunchy-looking daddy, Jor-El (Russell Crowe), and now his plucky Daily Planet co-worker/love interest Lois Lane (Amy Adams) has been snapped on set.

There’s no potential spoilers or plot giveaways here, but it’s nice to see the cast coming together from a visual point of view. Surely images of Diane Lane and Kevin Costner (as the Kryptonian one’s earth parents) and Laurence Fishburne (as Daily Planet editor Perry White) can’t be too far away?

With over a year and a half before the film hits cinema screens (13 June 2013!) that’s still a pretty long wait to be constantly teased by all these set photos. Let’s hope the makers can keep the momentum going for this long, potentially agonising wait.

Via ComingSoon.net

We’ve seen a number of parody trailers for the new Muppet movie, out in the States on the 23rd of November but not out here in the UK until the fricking 10th of fricking February next fricking year, as well as some great posters of our furry friends and here we’ve got four more to tease us into nostalgic whimpery.

Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller are the men bringing The Muppets back to the silver screen for which they, and director James Bobin, should receive some sort of medal of honour and it seems as though they’ve made good on their promise to get the film ‘right’ as we’ve seen some great footage and trailers for the movie so far.

With the Muppet theatre under threat from a greedy oil tycoon the band must get back together and save the day (and the theatre) in true Muppety fashion with songs, terrible jokes and a whole host of cameos. Can’t wait…

My only complaint about the new posters – no Fozzie. Here they are, enjoy Muppeters…

These came to us from Hollywood.com (via Collider)

Given that the only marketing this film needs is someone saying the word ‘Muppets’ over and over again it is so nice to see some more of the genuinely funny marketing for the film.

The latest parody trailer for the return of Kermit & Co. has been delivered by the hand of the film’s Facebook page and if the title of the post didn’t give it away then you need look no further than this link.

There’s lots more Fozzie, Kermit, Bunsen and Beaker, Rowlf and, of course, Miss Piggy taking her rightful place centre stage. The only thing I hate is that the film isn’t out in the UK until February of next year, and I know a few people who would gladly cough up the money for a plane ticket to the US in order to see this early. I may start a fund.

In the meantime – look below for the trailer.

It’s a happy day when we can bring you some news on the hugely anticipated new Muppets movie, and while these character descriptions may contain the slightest of spoilers they are essential for any true Muppeteer (and on that note – have they ever done a The Three Muppeteers thing? Seems ripe for the plucking).

Without wishing to underline the Muppet love too much (check out our write up of their appearance at the Big Screen event here) the long wait until February’s UK release date only adds to the enjoyment of having something new to see from the creative team behind the new film. And just to be clear, if there was any doubt that James Bobin would capture the magic of The Muppets then the clip they played at the O2 in August was all the proof necessary to tell us that the new movie is everything fans are looking for.

The character descriptions below give us some new information amongst the bits we already knew, specifically about the backgrounds of the characters. The good people at Stitch Kingdom were the ones to bring this to our attention. Here’s your run down of Muppety goodness,

GARY (Jason Segel) is loyal to his brother Walter—the two do everything together. “Gary is from Smalltown, USA,” says Jason Segel (TV’s “How I Met Your Mother,” Forgetting Sarah Marshall), a longtime Muppet fan who created the role with himself in mind. “He’s very naïve, sweet and innocent, and he’s very much in love with his girlfriend Mary. He’s torn between his brother and growing into a new phase of maturation where it’s time to be with his girlfriend. He’s lived with his brother forever so that is his big struggle.”

The plot thickens when the trio decides to take a vacation. Says Segel, “The movie starts out with me and my brother Walter, whose wildest fantasy is to meet the Muppets. My goal is to take a vacation to L.A. with my girlfriend Mary. So we all come to L.A. and while taking a tour of Muppet Studios, which are now decrepit, we find out that they’re going to be torn down to drill for oil. So we have to find Kermit, reunite the Muppets — who have disbanded because of professional rivalries — and put on a show to raise enough money to save the studio.”

Gary throws himself into the effort, putting his relationship with Mary on the back burner — again.  Will he ever be able to grow up and embrace true love?

With his Kermit t-shirt and watch, WALTER (Walter) is a devoted fan of the Muppets. The lifelong resident of Smalltown, USA, dreams of meeting his heroes one day, and feels that — just maybe — he belongs with them. So when brother Gary and his girlfriend Mary plan a trip to Los Angeles, Walter joins them with hopes of realizing his dream once and for all.

The role marks the big-screen debut for Walter, and one seemingly written for him. “I play Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan,” says the star, “which is a real coincidence, since I happen to be the world’s biggest Muppet fan and my name is Walter. It’s like I was made to play this part.”

Walter finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time — or is it the right time? — when he overhears evil oil baron Tex Richman discussing a plot to destroy Muppet Studios. With the help of Gary and Mary, it’s Walter who sets the plan in motion to reunite the Muppets and save the studio. His pure-hearted enthusiasm for all things Muppets just might save more than the studio, too.

MARY (Amy Adams) is a valued shop teacher in Smalltown, USA — at least if the number of apples on her desk are any indication. She is Gary’s longtime girlfriend who often finds herself playing third wheel to Gary and his brother Walter.

Mary shares Gary and Walter’s sweet, innocent disposition, but she’s growing weary of sharing her boyfriend with Walter. She can’t help but hope for a magical proposal during their Los Angeles vacation, but her plans are derailed when news of Muppet Studios’ pending demise spur the trio into expressly non-marriage-proposal action.

Amy Adams (The Fighter, Julie & Julia) was called on for the role — in a way that was impossible to miss, says the actress. “Jason and Kermit sent me an invitation to be in Disney’s The Muppets — they asked if I’d read the script and consider the role of Mary. Kermit was a big part of my decision. I don’t like to tell Jason that ‘cause he’s a little sensitive that I might be partial to Kermit, but I am.”

In Disney’s The Muppets, KERMIT THE FROG (Kermit the Frog) lives a quiet, solitary life. It’s been a few years since the Muppets last performed together and Kermit doesn’t realize how much he misses his friends until he’s tracked down by Walter, Gary and Mary from Smalltown, USA, and convinced to reunite with the rest of the Muppets to save Muppet Studios.

Returning to the role he made famous in six previous Muppet movies, “The Muppet Show” and countless TV specials and internet videos, is Kermit the Frog. “I’ve played other parts, like Bob Crachit  in A Muppet Christmas Carol and Captain Smollett in Muppet Treasure Island, says Kermit, “but I think me is my favorite part.”

The role is a bit of a departure for the frog known for his unifying spirit and award-winning songs like “The Rainbow Connection.” “The movie is filled with comedy, music and adventure — like all the Muppet movies,” says Kermit. “But I play quite a dramatic role. You see a side of me that maybe you haven’t see before — and I’m not just taking about new camera angles. Acting wise, I really stretch to play me. One of my favorite moments is singing a brand new original song called ‘Pictures in my Head.’ I walk through the halls of a big mansion looking at portraits of my Muppet friends and missing those guys. It was very emotional…and I think it will disprove critics who’ve said ‘the frog can’t emote.’”

Kermit, who’s always the glue that holds the Muppets together, has a big job in this movie, going head to head with Tex Richman — a guy who’s lost his laugh — to save the studio.

TEX RICHMAN (Chris Cooper) is a rich oil baron who’s concocted a devious plan to destroy Muppet Studios, presumably to dig for the oil he claims is underneath.

But the truth, says Chris Cooper (Adaptation, The Bourne Identity), who portrays the villain, is that Tex has a personal vendetta against the Muppets. “He blames the Muppets for a terrible event that happened to him at his 10th birthday party,” says Cooper. “He is unable to laugh and has vowed to destroy the Muppets.”

But Tex Richman’s inability to laugh doesn’t stop him from taking part in other Muppet antics. He may be cold-hearted and conniving, but this oil magnate has a few secrets up his sleeve that are more fun than fiendish.

MISS PIGGY (Miss Piggy) showcases her diva attitude and big personality in a new made-to-order gig in Disney’s The Muppets. As plus-size editor of Vogue Paris, she shares her sublime fashion sensibilities with readers worldwide… at least until Kermit shows up.

The Frog is there, of course, as part of his mission to reunite all the Muppets to save Muppet Studios from Tex Richman. But Miss Piggy can read between the lines: she knows an invitation for love when she sees it.  And really — how could she say no to Kermie?

Playing the role of Miss Piggy is none other than Miss Piggy (Muppets from Space, TV’s “The Muppet Show”). “It’s the role I was born to play,” says the internationally famous star. “Moi plays a high-powered, confident, charismatic, gorgeous, scene-stealing star who saves the day and wins her frog’s heart.” Her fans would expect nothing less.

FOZZIE BEAR (Fozzie Bear) lives to make people laugh. So during the Muppets’ extended hiatus depicted in Disney’s The Muppets, the stand-up comic bear was determined to keep his act and the spirit of the Muppets alive — even if it meant joining up with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Moopets may be sincere, but they’re also a little creepy.

“The Moopets recreate great Muppet moments,” says Fozzie Bear (The Great Muppet Caper, TV’s “The Muppet Show”), who is back on the big screen as his namesake, “at least that’s what they told me we were doing. Could’ve fooled me.”

Regardless of who he shares the stage with, Fozzie will try anything to tickle the audience’s funny bones: gags, novelties, whoopee cushions, banana peels, custard pies and recycled jokes that earn more winces than laughs — particularly from his in-house hecklers, Statler and Waldorf (aka “those two old guys in the balcony”) In truth, Statler and Waldorf just might be the bear’s biggest fans. Though they’d never admit it, they may actually be happy to see Fozzie and the Muppets reunited — and they might have to throw the bear a laugh or two this time if it means saving Muppet Studios.

VERONICA (Rashida Jones) is a network executive called on by the Muppets to air their studio-saving telethon. She’s not easily swayed, and it’ll take a big-name star to seal the deal.

Actress Rashida Jones (The Social Network, TV’s “The Office) portrays the tough-as-nails woman to impress. “I play a hard-nosed, stressed-out TV executive,” says Jones, “but I am the only one who gives the Muppets the chance to air their fundraising telethon. I definitely crack the whip, though, because I’m scared of losing my job and I’m scared it’s not going to be successful — I yell at Kermit a lot.”

It won’t be easy, but hopefully, Kermit can charm Veronica like he charms every woman, network exec and diva pig he encounters.

GONZO THE GREAT (The Great Gonzo) has been very busy since the Muppets last performed. In Disney’s The Muppets, Kermit, Walter and the gang find that Gonzo’s career is down the drain — literally. “I play a plumbing magnate,” says the daredevil who returns to the role he singlehandedly made famous. “In this movie, we see what happens when I pursue plumbing — my original career choice. Actually, show business and plumbing have a lot in common — especially when it comes to clogs and snakes.”

It takes some convincing — and an increase in health insurance coverage — to get Gonzo back on stage. Fortunately, Gonzo (The Muppets Take Manhattan,  TV’s “The Muppet Show”), a pioneer of all things weird, can’t resist the temptation of the wild and wacky stunts he performs to earn the eternal admiration (not to mention shock and awe) of his audience — and one very special chicken named Camilla.

Gonzo’s stage act, which includes shooting himself from a cannon, balancing a piano on his nose, or eating radial tires to classical music, will likely always end in disaster… but that’s the whole point!

ANIMAL (Animal), the ultimate rock n’ roll survivor, finally addresses a troublesome personality trait and finds himself in an anger management program in Disney’s The Muppets. He’s traded in his drums for a flute and is struggling to redefine his identity. As if…

But fear not, fans of the over-the-top, monosyllabic, appetite-with-legs drummer from Dr. Teeth’s Electric Mayhem Band.  Once reunited with the Muppets, Animal’s incessant (yet innocent) pursuit of rock n’ roll, food and women (not necessarily in that order) returns. “Me like,” says Animal (Muppet Treasure Island, TV’s “The Muppet Show”). “Movie good.”

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 a telethon 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.