Jason Segel Spills More About His Muppet Movie

The comedic actor is taking on Jim Henson and he's doing it up right

While speaking with Jason Segel on the set of his latest comedy I Love You, Man, we got him to talk a little bit more about his upcoming Untitled Muppet Movie that he and Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nick Stoller are working on. He also spoke a bit about Judd Apatow's upcoming directorial project that centers on stand-up comedians. Here is what he had to say:

So, is Kermit going to have mojo in the Untitled Muppet Movie?

Jason Segel: Let me tell you, anyone who can walk around in life completely naked all the time has got to have some mojo. But, I actually just turned in my first draft of the MUPPETS and I'm really excited about it. I think we're bringing them back.

Is Sam the Eagle in it?

Jason Segel: Sam the Eagle is definitely in it. Statler and Waldorf - the whole gang!

Have you talked to Kermit yet?

Jason Segel: No, I haven't.

We interviewed him last week and he was surprised there was a movie coming out, he didn't know.

Jason Segel: Really? We're keeping it under wraps. (laughter)

Can you tell us a little bit about the story, which way you are headed with the MUPPETS?

Jason Segel: All I can say is that we are trying to bring it back to the early '80s movies where it's not Muppets in the Sahara or Muppets Underwater. It's the Muppets getting back together to put on a show, to save the studio.

No Pigs in Space?

Jason Segel: I can't give that away.

Have you contacted Paul Williams about doing the music?

Jason Segel: No, we're still just doing the script at the moment so as soon as that gets in shape we'll hopefully get it going.

Do you think you will try to get Paul Williams back?

Jason Segel: Oh yeah, absolutely. Those songs were the best. We've written temp songs but we'd like to fill them in with legitimate musician songs.

Do you think you are going to be involved at all in Judd's [Apatow] new stand up movie that they're now starting to talk about?

Jason Segel: I don't think I am because I am limited by my TV show, I get to do one movie a year basically, so, this is it. Nick [Stoller] and I have another movie with Judd called THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT that we're trying to scrape together now.

So, you think that will be next off-season?

Jason Segel: Either that or the MUPPETS, or both, who knows. We'll see what happens.

And the hope is to stay 100% traditional with the Muppets right?

Jason Segel: Oh yeah, absolutely.

No CGI Muppets or some horseshit.

Jason Segel: No, no, no. Hopefully it will fall right in the pantheon of The Great Muppet Caper, Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppet Movie, you know, we're trying to make one of those.

You said you had written something for Charles Grodin?

Jason Segel: Yeah, a brief cameo. We'll see if he wants to do it. There are some great cameos in there.

What is your favorite original Muppets episode?

Jason Segel: There's a Muppets episode where Peter Sellers sings Whiskey Wine and Wild Women that is just - Peter Sellers on the Muppet show, I remember even as a kid, it was the coolest thing ever. That's my favorite.

Thought you were gonna say Alice Cooper.

Jason Segel: No, you don't know me very well. (laughter) How dare you! God!

The Untitled Muppet Movie does not have a set release date at this time.