We've all been so wrapped up in Disney's most high-profile recent acquisitions, Marvel Comics and the newly added Star Wars franchise, that it's easy to forget that they also own The Muppets, which is no small shakes itself. Last year's film was a huge hit and pop culture powerhouse, and while many have been worried about the loss of Jason Segel, the sequel is underway with the first addition to the cast.
Christoph Waltz is in talks for one of the many human roles in the untitled sequel, playing an Interpol inspector in the Euro-based story. As before, a large number of cameos are expected, and other roles being sought right now are for a Russian femme fatale and a male lead with questionable intentions. With Segel gone, James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller are co-writing the script, with Bobin back behind the camera.
There's still a long way to go before this one really gets going, but including the versatile Waltz is a solid opening move. He's currently filming Terry Gilliam's The Zero Theorem, and will be seen next in Django Unchained. [THR]
