James Bobin Archives - Chip and Co

‘The Muppets’ Director Eyeing ‘Alice in Wonderland 2′

June 2, 2013 by Patrick 5 Comments

Back in December, I reported that Disney had begun to develop a sequel to Tim Burton’s 2010 film, ‘Alice in Wonderland’. At the time, all we know about the film was that Linda Wooverton would return to write the sequel, but there was no word on whether Tim Burton would be back to direct. Word on the sequel had gone quiet since the announcement, with many speculating that Disney was in early negotiations with Burton to return for the sequel. For fans of Burton, they’ll be sad to hear he won’t be returning to direct ‘Alice in Wonderland 2′. That’s no reason to fret though, because word is that there is a very suitable replacement eyeing the director’s chair for the new film, and the film is working under a new title.

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Filed Under: Disney & Co, Movies, Stuff, Walt Disney Pictures Tagged With: Alice in Wonderland, Alice in Wonderland 2, Alice in Wonderland: Into the Looking Glass, James Bobin, Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Tim Burton

Disney’s “The Muppets are back again!” Production to begin in London

January 31, 2013 by guest blogging Leave a Comment

The filmmaking team behind 2011’s celebrated film “The Muppets” reunites as Disney’s “The Muppets … Again!” kicked off production last week in London. The all-new global Muppets adventure welcomes Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey to the mayhem, along with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Walter and rest of the Muppets. The film is directed by James Bobin (“Flight of the Conchords,” “Da Ali G Show”), who was just nominated for a BAFTA for “The Muppets” (Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer), and produced by the Academy Award®-nominated team of David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (“The Fighter,” “The Proposal”). With a screenplay by Bobin and Nicholas Stoller (“The Five-Year Engagement”), who is also executive producer with John Scotti, “The Muppets … Again!” will feature music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie (“Flight of the Conchords”), who won an Oscar® for best original song for “The Muppets” (“Man or Muppet”). The new film will hit the big screen March 21, 2014.

“It’s great to be back working with the Muppets,” said Bobin, “some of them even remember my name occasionally now. As for the movie, it’s a tip of the hat to the old-school crime capers of the ’60s, but featuring a frog, a pig, a bear and a dog—no panthers, even pink ones—along with the usual Muppet-y mix of mayhem, music and laughs.”

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Filed Under: Disney & Co, Muppets, News, Walt Disney Pictures Tagged With: Bret McKenzie, Emmy Award, James Bobin, London, Muppet, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell

The Walt Disney Studios Release Schedule Update for 2014 and beyond

January 14, 2013 by guest blogging 1 Comment

Today, The Walt Disney Studios announced release dates and additional information for several upcoming films. In case you missed our post from last month here are the Disney Movies coming to theaters in 2013.

Here’s a closer look.

THE MUPPETS 2 is now dated on 3/21/14.

MUPPETS 2 is produced by Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman and directed by James Bobin. The screenplay is by Bobin and Nick Stoller, who will also serve as executive producer. The cast includes Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell – and of course, the whole Muppets gang.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (Marvel) will be available in 3D.

Releases on 4/4/14.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER will pick up where “Marvel’s The Avengers” leaves off, as Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world. The film stars Chris Evans in the title role and will be directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo.

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Filed Under: Disney & Co, Marvel, Movies, Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures Tagged With: Brad Bird, Captain Jack Sparrow, Caribbean, David Hoberman, disney, James Bobin, Maleficent, Marvel, Muppet, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Company

Tina Fey to Star in ‘The Muppets’ Sequel; Working Title Revealed

January 9, 2013 by Patrick Leave a Comment

The cast for the new ‘Muppets’ film just keeps getting better and better. Back in December we learned that both Ricky Gervais and Ty Burell were both set to star as two of the three leads in the film, with Gervais being the main character, and Burell playing a “lazy Interpol agent”, but with nothing else known about either character at this time. Now we’ve learned who the final of the three characters in the film will be, and it’ll be no other than Tina Fey, of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ’30 Rock’ fame. Fey is said to be playing a Russian prison guard in the film, so it’s easy to assume that she and Ty Burell will probably working together in the film. The film is said to follow the Muppets, and Gervais, on a European caper, but that’s all we know at this time. It’s also been revealed that the current working title for the film is ‘The Muppets…Again’, but there’s a good chance that won’t be the final title of the film.

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Filed Under: Disney & Co, Movies, Muppets, Stuff, Walt Disney Pictures Tagged With: 30 Rock, Bret McKenzie, James Bobin, Muppets, Nicholas Stoller, Ricky Gervais, Saturday Night Live, The Muppets 2, Tina Fey

Ty Burrell Set to Star in ‘The Muppets’ Sequel

December 10, 2012 by Patrick 5 Comments

It looks like ‘The Muppets‘ sequel has finally found its star to takeover for Jason Segal in the new film. Segal isn’t set to reprise his role as Gary in the sequel to the 2011 film, but Walt Disney Studios has found another great comedic actor to take his place. Ty Burrell, who many will recognize as Phil from ABC’s hit comedy ‘Modern Family’, is set to star in the film as an Interpol Inspector in the film, but at the time we don’t know the characters name. In fact, very little is known about the film at this time, other than the fact that the film will follow the Muppets, including the new edition Walter, as the travel through Europe on some sort of caper. Burrell is taking over for Christoph Waltz, who had to unfortunately bow out of the role. The film is set to shoot in London next year, with a script by Nicholas Stoller, who wrote the first film with Segal, and returning director James Bobin.

I’m a huge fan of Ty Burrell, and think his work on ‘Modern Family’ is excellent, so I’m very excited to see him join the cast of the new film. I was very sad to see that Waltz had to drop out, but Burrell is more than capable of filling his shoes. ‘The Muppets’ was one of my favorite films of last year, so I definitely can’t wait for the sequel, and I really hope it lives up to the first one. ‘The Muppets’ sequel is currently untitled and doesn’t have a release date yet, but I’d expect winter 2013 or 2014.

Are you excited for the sequel to ‘The Muppets’? Let me know in the comments below, only here on Chip and Company!