Whether you liked it or not (psst…I liked it!), The Muppets made its mark when it debuted on screens in 2011 and effectively relaunched the brand.  Details have slowly leaked out since about the inevitable follow-up, but now we finally have a clearer picture of what director/writer James Bobin & co-writer Nick Stoller have in-store for us.

The Muppets…Again! takes the Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theatres in Berlin, Madrid and London. They soon find themselves unwittingly thrust into an international crime caper headed by the world’s top criminal Constantine — who is also a dead ringer for Kermit — and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two (Ricky Gervais).

Hot on their trail will be Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell) and Tiny Fey will be appearing as a Russian gulag guard named Nadya.  Muppet veteran Ray Liotta also has an unspecified role.  Christoph Waltz, who was initially in line for Burrell’s role, is expected to have a cameo.  The only returning new characters from the previous film appear to be 80s Robot and Muppet inductee Walter.  David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will once again produce and Bret Mackenzie has already been confirmed to be returning as songwriter.

Shooting has already begun and the film is targeting a March 21st, 2014 release.  I suspect information will be flying out fast as the production movies along, particularly in terms of cameos, so watch this space for more as it develops.

Source | Dark Horizons