The Muppets are coming back with a brand-new special, this time led by actor and producer Seth Rogen and with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
Disney+ confirmed that it has ordered The Muppet Show reboot special, set to stream in 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of Jim Henson’s legendary series.
THE MUPPETS TO RETURN
Rogen and his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg will produce through their company, Point Grey Pictures, according to The Inquirer.
Albertina Rizzo wrote the project, and Tony Award winner Alex Timbers directed it.
Disney says the one-off could become a full series if it lands with viewers.
SABRINA CARPENTER’S LOVE FOR THE MUPPETS
Sabrina Carpenter, fresh off announcing her Coachella headline set, called the role “career-defining.”
The 26-year-old singer said she has loved the Muppets since childhood, according to TV Insider. She joked, “Kermit was always my dream Hollywood date.”
South African fans can look forward to streaming the show on Disney+, which continues to expand in the local market.
THE MUPPETS SUCCESS
Miss Piggy, Kermit, and Fozzie Bear will make special appearances alongside new musical sketches.
The Muppets have struggled to find consistent success on television in recent years. Network executives cancelled the 2015 sitcom-style reboot after one season.
However, Disney+ scored a small hit with Muppets Haunted Mansion in 2021.
Theatrical films have fared better, with Jason Segel’s The Muppets in 2011 winning an Academy Award and grossing over R1.4 billion worldwide.
A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Sabrina Carpenter already has quirky ties to the Muppet universe.
As a child, she sang at a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game, where she shared the stage with the Phillie Phanatic. He is a mascot designed by original Muppet creators.
“It feels like my story has come full circle,” she said.
The exact release date of the special has not been confirmed. But Disney insiders see it as a major opportunity to reintroduce the Muppets to a global audience, including South Africa.