Jason Segel The Muppets

The Muppets

Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
Director: James Bobin
Genre: Comedy, Family

Synopsis: It's time to play the music, it's time to light the light?
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 Muppet Studios 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 studio, 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.

"We're here to sing, dance, make people laugh and somehow, just maybe, make the world a little bit better place. That may sound silly, especially coming from a frog. But the Muppets have always tried to inspire the world with silliness and to show folks that no matter who you are or how weird you seem to others, there's a place for you and people who care about you. And when you find that place and meet those people, wonderful things happen."
-Kermit the Frog

He's green. He has crazy friends, flippers, a penchant for pigs?and one of the most recognisable singing voices since the King. And he's coming to neighborhoods everywhere for the holidays.

Kermit the Frog is back on the big screen, and this time, he's teaming up with Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and newcomer Walter, plus the whole Muppet gang, for a brand-new, big-screen adventure in Disney's The Muppets.

It's funny, upbeat and full of laughs for everyone?frogs, pigs, bears?even people," says Kermit. "For new fans, it's a chance to see the Muppets in action on the big screen. And for old fans it's a chance to get together with old friends?and get a little crazy together."

Release Date: January 12th, 2012

Muppet Fans Unite

Lifelong Love of Kermit and the Gang Leads to Newest Big-Screen Adventure
Ranging in age from 8 to 80, Muppet fans span the globe. So it makes sense that Disney's The Muppets was ignited by a Muppet fan. "It started when I was a kid," says Jason Segel. "The Muppets were my first comic influence and I was in love with puppetry. I just thought it was an amazing art form."

"All comedy writers are Muppet fans," adds Nicholas Stoller. "It's the gateway to comedy. It's like the first thing you try and then you slowly fall down the rabbit hole of comedy."

A film Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller previously collaborated on actually set things in motion, says Jason Segel. "We ended Forgetting Sarah Marshall with a lavish puppet musical, and The Jim Henson Company designed the puppets. Something started growing in my belly, and Nicholas Stoller and I came up with this idea and pitched it to Disney. Disney liked the idea so we wrote the script."

Enter producers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman each with their own affinity to all things Muppets. "I think there's always been a timeless quality to the Muppets," says David Hoberman, who cites the Muppets' recent online smash viral video Bohemian Rhapsody. "These characters are as contemporary today as they were when Jim Henson first brought them to life. I think people of all ages will respond to them on the big screen."

While president of the motion picture group at The Walt Disney Studios, David Hoberman was behind releases like The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island.

Meanwhile, Todd Lieberman's appreciation for the franchise grew from personal experience. "I have always been a big Muppet fan," says Todd Lieberman. "There's clearly a nostalgic love. The characters are just inherently lovable and I'm thrilled that we're bringing them together again in this movie. It's been beautiful introducing them to my own children."

And that's a good thing, says director James Bobin. Disney's The Muppets will welcome a whole new generation into the world of the Muppets, and James Bobin can attest to the positive influence these characters can have on young audiences. "I watched the Muppets at a very early age in England, and they have significantly influenced my sense of humor and what I find funny."

Jason Segel says it's the Muppets' sense of humor that differentiates them. "Modern comedy makes jokes at other people's expense," says the actor, writer and executive producer. "The Muppets never make fun of anybody. They're all about being good and nice and trying to make the world a better place. It's easy to get a laugh out of making fun of somebody, but the Muppets never relied on that."

Introducing Walter
Loyal Fan and Newest Member of Muppet Family Sparks Story
Influenced by their affinity for Muppet mayhem, filmmakers introduced a central character who's driven by his lifelong love of the Muppets. According to Jason Segel, Walter's wildest fantasy is to meet the Muppets. "Walter is naive, sweet, innocent, wide-eyed he's very much like Kermit before Kermit became famous," says Jason Segel. "But he just wants to belong. He's looking for a family, really. The Muppets are the only people he's ever seen who were like him, so his quest is to become one of the Muppets."

Adds Walter, who is as big a Muppet fan in real life as his character is, "I start out just wanting to meet the Muppets but then have to help Kermit get the gang back together to save Muppet Studios. It's the role of my lifetime. In fact, it is my life."

The movie opens in Smalltown, USA, home to Walter, brother Gary and his girlfriend, Mary. It's the kind of town where people smile a lot, give apples to teachers and break into song-just because. But the trio leaves the safety of Smalltown behind for a long-awaited trip to Hollywood-and an opportunity to visit Muppet Studios at last.

While there Walter overhears the evil plan of nefarious oil baron Tex Richman and finds himself navigating a long-awaited, never-imagined, can't-believe-it's-really-happening-to-me Muppet reunion. It's not long before the world's biggest Muppet fan is face to face with the heart of the Muppets Kermit the Frog. "Kermit is my all-time hero," says Walter. "I have his poster in my room, I've seen everything he has ever done and meeting him was the greatest moment of my life."

Says Kermit, "Walter gets so excited being around the Muppets. I've never met anyone like him?except maybe Jason Segel."

Jason Segel can certainly relate to Walter's enthusiasm, but his character, Gary, shows a little too much interest in his brother's Muppet dreams. His girlfriend Mary has her own California dreams, it turns out, and is secretly hoping for a marriage proposal during their vacation. But she is a team player and willingly jumps on board to help reunite the Muppets and save the studio.

They track down Kermit and learn that he's lived a quiet life since the Muppets last performed together. It takes some convincing to get the now low-key frog to agree to the plan, but once Kermit realises just how much he misses his friends, it's go time.

"They embark on a huge journey around the world to find the rest of the Muppets who have gone their separate ways," says James Bobin. "The first Muppet they find is Fozzie, who's performing with a Muppet tribute band called the Moopets. The Moopets are cynical characters who are taking advantage of the Muppets' legacy. They sing tacky versions of their songs and sadly, Fozzie is the only real Muppet who joined up with them. He's in a tribute band of his own group. It doesn't take too much persuading to get Fozzie to come along for the ride."

Next up is Gonzo, who has left show business behind in favor of his first career choice: plumbing. He is to plumbing what Tex Richman is to oil minus the evil-villain part. But Gonzo's plumbing empire is no match for the lure of the stage, and he soon agrees to return to Muppet Studios and his daredevil act.

Perhaps the trickiest piece to the Muppet reunion is Miss Piggy, who's landed a posh gig in France as plus-size editor of Vogue Paris. She's enjoying the big life and doesn't exactly dream of reuniting with the Muppets unless, of course, it's Kermie who's asking. But it's not all romance between them, says Miss Piggy. "The scene where Kermie begs me to come back to Hollywood with him is the funniest scene in the movie," she says. "I'm hilarious, and the frog isn't half bad either."

Back together at last, the Muppets must put together the best show of their lives no small feat considering their past efforts. And it's been years since they last performed rusty doesn't begin to describe their acts. Can they break through the obstacles and create a show of a lifetime? Can they convince a network to broadcast the show? Will they raise enough money to silence Tex Richman once and for all-or will he foil their efforts and destroy the studio despite everything?

"Well, see the movie and find out for yourself!" says Miss Piggy. "Moi can't do everything."

Who's Who in Disney's The Muppets
Muppets, Men, Women (and Everything in Between)
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 naive, 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 decide to take a vacation. Says Jason 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 is 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 tee-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 realising 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 Segel 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 Segel 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 realise how much he misses his friends until he's tracked down by Walter, Gary and Mary from Smalltown, 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 seen before, and I'm not just talking about new camera angles. 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 Richman 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 Chris 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 coldhearted 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 whom 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."

Statler and Waldorf (Statler and Waldorf) return to the balcony in Disney's The Muppets as feisty and curmudgeonly as ever. These two old hecklers let the insults fly, as well as serve an important public service. "We didn't want to be in the movie," explains Statler, "but we felt it was our duty." Adds Waldorf, "Yeah, somebody's got to warn the rest of the audience what they're in for."

This time, the duo takes center stage, sharing the fine print of the Muppet contract with villain Tex Richman. Of course, Statler and Waldorf (The Muppet Movie, Great Muppet Caper, TV's The Muppet Show) don't realise that Tex plans to raze Muppet Studios and drill for oil, which would mean the end of their balcony, and their heckling.

One thing is certain. Statler and Waldorf think everyone should see this movie. "We had to sit through it," says Statler. "The least folks could do is share our pain."

Swedish Chef (Swedish Chef) is behind some rather combustible culinary creations in Disney's The Muppets especially after he discovers a long-forgotten refrigerator in the run-down Muppet Studios.

Swedish Chef (TV's The Muppet Show) is equally at home in the kitchen and on set. Wherever he goes, he's fighting a never-ending battle against food and ingredients a battle he rarely, if ever, wins. It didn't take much convincing to get him to return to Muppet Studios when production kicked off. "Zikkledeffer goobee der smidleflingen," says the Chef. "Vooshkee hooksker mit gingen agloofe majuskee! Bork! Bork! Bork!" (Roughly translated: "It's not every day you get offered to play the role of Chef from Sweden.Besides, I had a souffle in the oven and an afternoon free, so why not?! Bork! Bork! Bork!")

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker (Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker) are still hard at work in Muppet Labs, where their latest invention shrinks poor Beaker (TV's The Muppet Show) to pocket size. Undeterred by this diminutive debacle, Beaker fortunately returns to normal size to complete his latest big-screen appearance, all with the help of his mentor and boss, the legendary Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (TV's The Muppet Show).

"We are scientific consultants on the movie as well as scientific consultants in the movie," says Honeydew. "Very meta, don't you agree?"

"Meep meep meep," adds Beaker, who, in addition to his scientific contributions, was also tapped for an all-Muppet barbershop quartet rendition of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Sam Eagle (Sam Eagle) lends his patriotic disdain to Disney's The Muppets in a heroic effort to add dignity to the telethon's opening musical number and spirit to the barbershop quartet.

Sam Eagle (TV's The Muppet Show), who has always looked askance at the Muppets' supposedly entertaining efforts, explains his reason for being part of Disney's The Muppets. "I play an American eagle who stands for all that is good and decent in the world, thus standing in sharp contrast to the rest of the weirdos in this movie."

Rowlf the Dog (Rowlf) isn't exactly tough to track down in Disney's The Muppets. Kermit and the gang fetch the piano-playing dog from a cozy hammock and convince him to return to the stage. And, it turns out, Rowlf's (The Muppet Movie, TV's The Muppet Show) unique canine musical sensibilities prove perfect for the all-Muppet barbershop quartet.

"You could say that this is Rowlf unleashed," says Rowlf, who has been with the Muppets since the early days. "In this movie I really get to do what I like best, play piano, sing, tell jokes and take myself for long walks around the neighborhood."

Scooter (Scooter) takes the threat to Muppet Studios in Disney's The Muppets to heart. "I'm stage manager of the Muppet Theater," explains Scooter. "I try to help Kermit save the studio, 'cause without a theater and stage, there's really not much for a stage manager to do."

Scooter (TV's The Muppet Show) gets to play a new role in the movie, as host, when, in a pinch, Kermit calls on Scooter to fill in for him on stage. Unfortunately, the classic advice Scooter gets to calm his nerves: Pretend that the audience is naked, doesn't necessarily work for him.

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band (Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Zoot and Animal) rock the house, shake the foundations and do both major and minor structural damage with their funky, heavy rockin' musical sounds. And even though Animal has allegedly sworn off drumming in exchange for a more peaceful existence, Dr. Teeth, Floyd, Janice and Zoot have other ideas in mind for their legendary drummer, all of which lead to a seriously rockin' rendition of Rainbow Connection.

Dr. Teeth highly recommends Disney's The Muppets. "If you see only one movie," he says, "this is absotively, possolutely the one to see! And if you see two movies this year, I'd recommend goin' to see this one twice. We need the gig, you dig?"

Janice agrees. "It will, like, help you achieve total inner grooviosity, fer sure." To which saxophonist Zoot adds, "Huh?"
Floyd Pepper was chasing Animal and could not be reached for comment.

Action
Filmmakers Call on Hollywood Stars to Complement Muppet Cast
"There are many advantages to shooting a movie in Southern California. Horray for Hollywood", says Kermit. "It was great to shoot so close to home. We saw so many friends?and put most of them in the movie."

"The actors and celebrities who wanted to be a part of this experience were tremendous," says producer Todd Lieberman. "There are going to be great surprises and many recognisable faces with really funny roles."

Jason Segel topped the list of stars who wanted to work with the Muppets. Says Todd Lieberman, "Jason Segel was super passionate about the Muppets and a massive fan. He was the spark."

The star was so passionate about the project, he not only helped write the script, he wrote a part for himself, a part that required him to sing, dance and act opposite some of the most iconic characters in the world. "In the finale of the movie there are 200 extras, 100 dancers and 50 Muppets," says Jason Segel. "It was very surreal and it happened to take place on my birthday. I walked out from my trailer thinking I was coming to film, and everyone sang Happy Birthday, including the Muppets. I kept thinking, "I've tricked everyone. Somehow I've made this weird childhood dream come true. It was the craziest thing ever."

Filmmakers called on Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and Rashida Jones to round out the main human cast. "Amy Adams plays Mary, Gary's love interest," says producer David Hoberman. "She's a school shop teacher in Smalltown. We thought Amy Adams was just a perfect Smalltown girl. She is also a Muppet fan."

"I was really into the Muppet movies, the TV shows, the songs," says Amy Adams. "It's like every kid's dream, when you're playing with your stuffed animals, you wish they'd come to life and talk to you. And now, the Muppets are real. It's so great to have that physical presence in front of you."

Chris Cooper's portrayal of villain Tex Richman will surprise audiences, say filmmakers. "Chris Cooper is a fantastic Oscar®-winning actor," says director James Bobin. "He brings a great level of weight to the role and I really wanted the villain in this movie to feel like a genuine threat to the Muppets. It's a difficult balance for Chris Cooper because he has to be the villain and have fun with it at the same time. He has moments of levity and moments of being serious."

Chris Cooper says he wanted to be in the film to showcase his hidden talents, and his affinity for his co-stars. "I wanted to sing and dance in a film! And, of course, to act with the Muppets."

Rashida Jones feels the same way. "I feel like I'm in really good company, I really do think the Muppets are timeless. And besides being with the Muppets, it's just cool to be in a movie with Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Chris Cooper. Give me a break. That's so cool!"

No Small Feet
Disney's "The Muppets" Embraces Big-Music Roots
It's time to play the music?it's time to light the lights?
The Muppets have long been known for their big musical numbers, so filmmakers made sure that Disney's The Muppets not only maintained the tradition but hit it out of the park. Both original songs and classic audience favorites are featured in the film, designed to maximise the fun and envelop audiences in the best of Muppet mayhem.

Bret McKenzie serves as music supervisor for Disney's The Muppets. "I know Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords", says director James Bobin. "We used to watch The Muppet Show quite a lot when we were writing The Conchords together. We'd watch Mah Na Mah Na and Hugga Wugga during breaks. In one of our Conchords episodes, we even included a Muppets tribute. So we love the Muppets. We thought about songs from the previous movies and how that would feel now. We thought about Jason Segel and Amy Adams. Jason Segel's a good singer and has some moves, and Amy Adam's obviously a fantastic singer and dancer. The music is incredibly important because of the rich tradition of Muppet music."

"Music was always an integral part of the original Muppet show and Muppet films," adds Bret McKenzie. "It's hard to think of the Muppets without thinking of songs like Rainbow Connection or Mah Na Mah Na, or Animal smashing a drum. Kermit is probably the world's most famous banjo player. I loved the original Muppets sound and I wanted this film to stay in that world. I tried to use as much banjo as possible."

Score
Christopher Beck was called on to create the score for Disney's The Muppets. "My job is to help tell the story musically, providing a sort of emotional glue," says Christopher Beck. "I had to pay special attention to blending the many styles of music so that it felt cohesive."

Like Bret McKenzie, Christopher Beck recognised the importance of music in Muppet history. "Rainbow Connection has essentially been synonymous with the Muppets since the first movie in 1979," says the composer. "But there is a rich tradition of scores there too: Hans Zimmer and Michael Giacchino have scored Muppets movies. Part of the tradition is that the music takes the Muppet characters seriously, treating them like real people with real emotions and conflicts."

Christopher Beck utilised a full orchestra to express the breadth of emotion on screen. "To give things more character, I featured some solo orchestra instruments I feel are typically underused, tuba, cimbasso, timpani and bass clarinet, among others. I also found spots to use nonorchestral instruments. Kermit plays the banjo, after all, to bring more personality into the music and make it feel more tailored to the Muppets."

Song and Dance
Bret McKenzie penned the opening and finale song titled Life's a Happy Song, performed by Jason Segel, Walter and Amy Adams. "I wrote this in New Zealand when I was in a particularly good mood," says Bret McKenzie. "I sat down at the piano and it came out very quickly. It's a simple little song and James Bobin really liked it. He then asked me to make it into a gigantic musical number involving an entire town singing and dancing. That took the rest of the year. One of the highlights of the job was watching an orchestra play this song for the final score. I had, only a few months earlier, been sitting at home playing it on my piano and suddenly there was an entire orchestra playing my song. That was a magical moment."

"Life's a Happy Song starts off with Gary and Walter while they're brushing their teeth," says producer David Hoberman. "They make their way outside and into Smalltown, USA, along the way picking up people who sing and dance along with them, the butcher, the baker, the milkman, the flower-shop keeper, everybody gets involved. It's one of those musical numbers that hearkens back to the old movie musicals of the '50s."

The film tapped 60 dancers for the opening musical performance, and veteran choreographer Michael Rooney, son of Hollywood film legend Mickey Rooney (who performs a cameo in the film), stepped in to work his magic. "Michael Rooney choreographed all the dance numbers," says David Hoberman. "He has amazing energy he's really creative and very nimble."

Michael Rooney says that the choreography came with its challenges as Muppets are typically shot from the waist up. "All my choreography had to be for them, Miss Piggy, Kermit, Walter and the rest, incorporating more of the hand [movements] above their waists because most of the footwork would not be seen."

Bret McKenzie also wrote a song called Man or Muppet. "It's a power ballad that deals with a man/Muppet identity crisis," he says. "We've all been there. I hammered it out on the piano, imagining I was Harry Nilsson or Eric Carmen."

The music supervisor says the song required strong vocal performances from both Jason Segel and Walter. "Luckily, they did an amazing job," says Bret McKenzie, who also wrote a song with Ali Dee called Let's Talk About Me for Chris Cooper. "Turns out he's dangerous on the mic," says BretMcKenzie of the actor.

Not to be outdone, Amy Adams and Miss Piggy teamed up for a duet created by Bret McKenzie called Me Party. "It needed to be sad but also up-tempo, so I came up with a party track for the lonely. I wrote this song sitting in a cafe, drinking iced teas and getting weird looks from the waitress when I did Miss Piggy impressions. Amy Adams did a great job of channeling her inner disco diva. Miss Piggy was predictably difficult to work with I think she was dealing with some personal issues."

Also featured in the film is the original song Pictures In My Head, performed by Kermit the Frog, Fozzie, Gonzo, Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman. Andrew Bird is the writer/artist behind the song The Whistling Caruso, a song performed by newcomer Walter in the movie.

While the new songs are sure to please, no Muppet movie would be complete without some signature songs. Disney's The Muppets features Rainbow Connection, written by Paul Williams and Kenny Asher, performed by Kermit the Frog and The Muppets, and, of course, Mah Na Mah Na, featuring Mahna Mahna and The Snowths. And, of course, a Muppet movie wouldn't be complete without covering classic rock songs and contemporary favorites. The Muppet Barbershop Quartet has taken on Nirvana's classic Smells Like Teen Spirit, while Camilla and the Chickens cluck their way through Cee Lo Green's hit Forget You.

"The Muppets don't sound like anyone else," says Bret McKenzie, "and that's what's great about them. It was a huge honor to work on the [film] and I took the job very seriously, even when I was recording a man pretending to be a penguin."

Life's a Happy Song returns for the film's finale scene, which shut down Hollywood Boulevard for two evenings. "We had 80 dancers and 300 extras," says Michael Rooney. "It was huge, amazing and fabulous. I think the audience is really going to be blown away once they see it."

Kermit agrees. "I love the finale," he says. "It's got everyone in it, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Walter and all the Muppets. I don't want to spoil the movie, but I think it's a very happy ending."

From Walt Disney Records, the soundtrack for Disney's The Muppets hits stores and at online retailers Nov. 25, 2011, including:
The Muppet Show Theme - The Muppets
Life's a Happy Song - Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Walter
Pictures in My Head - Kermit, The Muppets
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Paul Simon
Rainbow Connection (Moopets Version) - The Moopets
We Built This City - Starship
Me Party- Miss Piggy, Amy Adams
Let's Talk About Me - Chris Cooper, Nathan Pacheco
Man or Muppet - Jason Segel, Walter
Smells Like Teen Spirit - The Muppet Barbershop Quartet: Rowlf, Beaker, Link Hogthrob and Sam Eagle
Forget You -Camilla and the Chickens
Rainbow Connection - The Muppets
The Whistling Caruso -Andrew Bird
Life's a Happy Song Finale - Entire Cast
Mah Na Mah Na - Mahna Mahna and The Snowths

Making Mayhem
Filmmakers Tap Production Designer Steve Saklad to Create Muppet World
When A-listers Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppets decided to return to the big screen after 12 years, much to the delight of their fans, filmmakers knew that the glitz and glamour of Hollywood would be the perfect setting for the film. Disney's The Muppets shot on location in and around Los Angeles as well as at some legendary Hollywood landmarks, including Grauman's Chinese Theater, Canter's Deli, Greystone Mansion and Pink's Hotdogs.

It's not easy being green and it's not easy creating the world of the Muppets either. Just ask production designer Steve Saklad. "We found that Muppets come to life in certain kinds of worlds and go flat in other kinds of worlds."

. Steve Saklad did extensive research into the original set and props from The Muppet Show. "We arrived at an aesthetic that had a period sense to it even when we're doing contemporary work," he says. "We have this great sense of history in every scene."

And when it comes to creating the backdrop for Muppets, color is key, says the production designer. "We have main actors who are green and blue and pink and orange, so we were able to step things up to a richer red, a richer gold, a richer lavender."

The film begins at the home of Gary and Walter in Smalltown, USA. According to Steve Saklad, their house has a retro feel to it but nothing era-specific was used to convey the idea that the film could be taking place at any point in time. Since the story revolves around a trip to Los Angeles, Steve Saklad decorated Gary and Walter's home with travel-themed rooms. There was airplane wallpaper in the bedroom, sailboat wallpaper in the bathroom, and a wide assortment of model airplanes, trains and rocket ships throughout their home. There were also several pictures on the walls dating back to their early childhood.

Steve Saklad themed Smalltown with 1950s Norman Rockwell in mind, lining the streets with mom-and-pop shops, like a butcher shop, a flower shop, a drug store, plus a host of American flags. The old-school Americana theme extends to the props on shop teacher Mary's desk. "When we first meet Mary in her school, there's a row of 18 apples marching across her school desk, one for each of her students.""

Hollywood's grittier surroundings are a far cry from Smalltown, but Steve Saklad found the perfect location for Muppet Studios. "We actually shot at the Jim Henson Company headquarters on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, so it has this great history to it."