It’s news that will delight some and annoy others, THR has revealed that Ricky Gervais is in negotiations to take the lead human role in The Muppets 2. Not much is known about the specifics of the part, although it is being compared to Jason Segel’s role in The Muppets.
Assuming Gervais does sign up, he’ll join Modern Family star Ty Burrell, who has replaced Christoph Waltz as an Interpol policeman. There is another major human role, a Russian femme fatale, but that part has not been cast yet. As you may have guessed, the sequel takes Kermit and company to Europe, although specific plot details have not been revealed. It will be Gervais’ first lead role since 2009’s The Invention of Lying.
Muppets director James Bobin is back in the director’s chair, working for a screenplay he co-wrote with Nick Stoller. Shooting is scheduled to begin this winter in London.