Ricky Gervais in Talks to Lead THE MUPPETS Sequel

English comedian Ricky Gervais is reportedly in talks to star in THE MUPPETS sequel as the film's lead character, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The Disney film is set to begin production in January with Gervais potentially tackling one of the three 'human main characters,' and MODERN FAMILY's Ty Burrell as another.

Though the script is being kept heavily under wraps, Gervais and Burrell would join Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the infamous Muppet clain in a European adventure. James Bobin, who helmed the MUPPETS movie in 2011, has signed on once again to direct. He also co-wrote the sequel alongside Nicholas Stoller.

The 2011 film, which starred Jason Segel (who is not returning for the sequel), followed Walter and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, 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. The film was released on Nov. 23, 2011.

The first Muppet outing of the new millenium arose when Segel and Stoller approached Disney in 2008 with the idea of reviving the Muppet characters into a feature length film.

BWW Movies World will keep you updated on THE MUPPETS sequel, as well as Gervais' potential involvement with the film.

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