First The Muppets, Now Alice Too...

Well, we now know who might be the director of the Burtonless Alice sequel...

It looks like the suits in Burbank really like the dailies that they're seeing of the new Muppet sequel because they want to give the director a much bigger film.  James Bobin is in negotiations to helm the sequel to "Alice in Wonderland" according to the trades.

Unless Johnny Depp has a bad meeting with Bobin, it's likely he will return since his presence was a large part of the film.  While I wasn't that big a fan of the film, a billion dollars is a lot of money to turn away from and the studio wants to turn this into another franchise.

As of now the title to the film is "Into The Looking Glass", but that could be tentative.  Alice Into the Looking Glass sounds more in line with where they might want to go I would think.  Mia Wasikowska is expected to return for the title role.  Currently, Linda Woolverton is still writing the screenplay, but you can expect they'd like production to begin as quickly as possible.

Better hurry, mustn't be late...

It Wasn't Easy Being Green...

Hi ho...



Twenty-one years ago today Jim Henson passed away...

The Talent Pool...

The Mouse has a lot of big named talent developing projects right now...

The verdict on Rich Ross is still out and it'll be a year or more before we start seeing the results of his taste, but I'm quite surprised and curious as to the people that he's attached to films in the Disney future. Examples? Just off my fading memory:

20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea - I would have never thought that David Fincher would adapt a family film classic like this with a script by screenwriter Scott Burns.

Oz the Great and Powerful - Sam Raimi is in line to direct this reinterpretation of the L. Frank Baum classic by Mitchell Kapner, that tells the story of how the Wizard became the Wizard. Currently, the script is being rewritten.

Oblivion - the graphic novel adaptation of Joseph Kosinski, Arvid Nelson and Andree Wallin is getting adapted by William Monahan as was announced last week.

The Black Hole - the re-envisioning of the cult Disney film, again by Joseph Kosinski, with Travis Beacham writing the new interpretation of the project.

The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made - the dream project of Jason Segel, who is writing and will co-star with the famous frog and friends. The name is not final, nor financially accurate, btw.

John Carter of Mars - the adaptation of the classic sci-fi film, directed by Andrew Stanton with a screenplay by Michael Chabon and Stanton.

Frankenweenie - the full feature envisioning of Tim Burton's short film made while working at Walt Disney Studios in the late 70's/early 80's. Instead of live action, it'll be a stop motion feature in line with "The Nightmare Before Christmas" or "Corpse Bride." Hopefully, it'll be closer to Nightmare than Bride.

Malificent - the look back at the Sleeping Beauty tale as told from the villainess' point of view. Tim Burton reteams with Linda Woolverton, the screenwriter from his "Alice in Wonderland" sequel. Rumors are that Angelina Jolie is the desired actress to play the part, but until a script is finished, consider these rumors to be just that... rumors.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - the fourth of the Pirates series featuring the further adventures of Captain Jack as he searches for the Fountain of Youth and dodges a flame from the past and her overly protective father (Blackbeard). Rob Marshall directs the film with a script by original screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott.

And the list keeps growing...

An Anniversary & A Seachange...

Today the Sesame Workshop starts the 40th season of "Sesame Street" on PBS...

The Animation Magazine has an interesting article about how one of the projects that will celebrate it is a new segment on the show entitled "Abby's Flying Fairy School," and that is a bit of a departure for the show. The Muppets on this show are CG.

The times they are a changing...

Disney's Muppet Adventure...

If you're in the Anaheim park today, you may see some familiar characters/friends...

Muppets Alive!

The New York Times has an article by Brooks Barnes about the Mouse's attempts, both past and present, at revitalizing the Muppets franchise. Under the new regime they've been trying to raise the brand so that it matches other Disney franchises like Winnie the Pooh. It's been more difficult than they expected, but there appears to be a rainbow connection just over the horizon...

I know, I know... bad pun, but hey, I couldn't resist.

It Hasn't Been Easy Being Green...

Ever since the Mouse bought the Muppets it's been trying to find a fresh way to keep them relevant in the 21st century. It's had many stalls and projects that have either died in development or simply faltered before they ever got a go ahead into prime time or theaters...

Until now.

It looks like, at least according to Variety , that Disney has found a concept to relaunch these endearing characters. Jason Segel(CSI and Freaks & Geeks) pitched his concept for a new Muppet movie and the Mouse apparently bought it. Both literally and figuratively. Nick Stoller(Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is attached to direct. The ball seems to be rolling and executives at Disney appear to want this moving as soon as possible... after all, there are theme parks to support.

Good news for Muppet fans all over.