From "Flight of the Conchords" to The "Muppet Movie"

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

James Bobin, co-creator of cult cable comedy series "Flight of the Conchords," has landed the job of directing the new "The Muppets" movie, reports The Vulture Blog.

According to Vulture: "The Flight of the Conchords" may be permanently grounded at HBO, but one of its guiding forces may soon help the Muppets take flight. Vulture has learned that James Bobin, who co-created the critically praised, ratings-challenged, and now-defunct cable show, is being offered the director's chair today on Walt Disney Pictures’ next Muppet movie.

The script, intended to revitalize the franchise, was co-written by known puppetphile Jason Segel and his "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" director Nicholas Stoller. Stoller was originally supposed to direct the Muppet movie, but he was too busy doing postproduction on the Russell Brand "Marshall" spinoff, “Get Him to the Greek,” as well as prepping to direct a new Zac Efron movie at Warner Bros.

The original Muppet Show was envisioned by Jim Henson as an adult show that was suitable for kids, and Bobin's hiring is in keeping with that ethic; he was also a writer on Da Ali G Show.

Bobin was also offered the Kristin Wiig-penned, Judd Apatow-produced comedy "Bridesmaids" but opted out of that project so he could do “Muppets.”

I think this will be a great fit, and I’m also happy to see some progress on this adaptation. When I first heard that Jason Segel was writing the script, I immediately got very excited for this project because I was always a fan of the Muppets. Segel showed off his love for puppets in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," so it’s clear that he will be excited to do the film. It also will be great to see what type of story he crafted as he brings the Muppets to a new generation.

Sources claim the plan is to put the film into production by late summer for release sometime in 2011.