New Muppets Movie Racking Up Human Cast Members

The new Muppets movie has recently nabbed comedians Zach Galifianakis, Jack Black, and Alan Arkin.

Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) has scripted and will star in the new Muppets movie, but as of yet, he’s been a human outnumbered by Muppets. That balance is beginning to shift, as Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine), Billy Crystal, Jack Black, and Jean-Claude Van Damme (Street Fighter) will all appear in cameo roles alongside Kermit the Frog and friends. In addition to Segel, the human principal cast is rounded out with Amy Adams (Enchanted), Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation), and Chris Cooper (American Beauty).

In classic cinematic Muppet form, director James Bobin is casting famous comedians in what would generously be called “bit parts.” Galifianakis will play a hobo, Arkin a tour guide, and Black is set to portray a kidnap victim. Previous examples of this casting strategy include Richard Pryor as a balloon salesman, Bob Hope as an ice cream vendor, Elliott Gould as a cop, Peter Falk as a bum, and Steve Martin as a surly, surly waiter.

“The biggest hurdle facing the studio,” says The Hollywood Reporter, “is not getting actors to say yes to appear in the movie, it’s figuring out scheduling.” Well, obviously. Who in their right mind would turn down the opportunity to be in a Muppet movie?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter