Rian Johnson is undoubtedly a busy individual with exciting projects in the pipeline, including the upcoming Knives Out sequel and a thrilling series titled Poker Face. Yet, despite his packed schedule, he recently found himself addressing fans’ mixed reactions to his dismissal of a highly specific and whimsical request: a movie featuring Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc alongside a cast of murder-solving Muppets.
Johnson humorously acknowledged the absurdity of this idea on social media. He shared his conflicted feelings about enjoying a fan-made poster of Miss Piggy in the Broadway hit Oh Mary!, especially after he had already opted out of a Muppet-themed Knives Out.
After receiving a wave of surprised responses online, Johnson elaborated on his thoughts during an appearance on THR’s Awards Chatter podcast. He candidly shared, “On the internet, the idea of a Muppet Knives Out movie comes up often. I wanted to gather you all to explain why that’s a bad idea.”
Why No Muppet Murder Mysteries?
So, what’s behind Johnson’s stance? He offered a compelling theory: a Muppet Knives Out would ultimately lead to two unsatisfactory scenarios. First, placing Muppets in a Benoit Blanc story means they would face the grim fate of murder, which contradicts the charming essence of Muppet movies. On the other hand, integrating Benoit Blanc into a Muppet story could undermine the character’s integrity.
“I love and respect Muppet movies too much,” Johnson elaborated. “In a Benoit Blanc setting, the Muppets would be getting murdered, which just feels entirely wrong. Conversely, placing Blanc in a Muppet movie might be fun, but it would disrupt the reality that defines him.”
Is a Muppet Movie Still Possible?
Even though the notion of a Knives Out Muppet film is off the table, Johnson is open to creating a Muppet project one day, perhaps reuniting with colleagues from his time working on The Last Jedi. “I would love to make a classic Muppet movie,” he expressed. “Whether it’s a caper or a musical, I’d love to collaborate with Frank Oz and create something amazing.”
Interestingly, Disney seems to be making strides to revive the Muppets. A revival of The Muppet Show is set for next year, and there are talks of a new Miss Piggy movie featuring Cole Escola alongside Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence. Could there be room for a Rian Johnson whodunit in this upcoming Muppet renaissance?
What Are Fans Saying?
With fans expressing their disappointment over Johnson’s stance, many wonder why a Muppet crossover wouldn’t work. Why do they feel so strongly about this idea? It stems from an appreciation of the joyful, whimsical nature of Muppet films. The concept of blending the light-heartedness of Muppets with the intrigue of a murder mystery strikes a chord, even if Johnson believes it wouldn’t translate well on screen.
What other projects is Rian Johnson working on? Johnson has plans for a new sci-fi venture in the future, although details are still under wraps. As his career continues to evolve, fans eagerly await what he will create next.
Is Rian Johnson making any Muppet movies soon? Presently, he has not confirmed any Muppet-related projects, but he seems eager to explore the possibility in the future.
How might a Muppet version of Knives Out have worked? While Johnson believes it wouldn’t be possible without altering the essence of either the Muppets or Benoit Blanc, fans speculate on the comedic potential of a whimsical interpretation of mystery-solving with Muppet characters.
Did Johnson’s comments affect fan opinions? While reactions were mixed, fans retain their enthusiasm for both Johnson’s original content and potential Muppet stories, even if the two will remain separate for now.
As discussions continue, it’s clear that there’s a place in the heart of audiences for both Johnson’s clever storytelling and the joyful antics of the Muppets. For ongoing updates and insights, feel free to explore more at Moyens I/O.