As the Disney+ streaming service has grown in popularity, one of the absences from its expansive library is has become increasingly glaring-- that of The Muppet Show.
One of the last major acquisitions made by Disney CEO Michael Eisner, before his department from the entertainment conglomerate, was The Muppets franchise in 2004. Following Eisner's subsequent replacement by current outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger, the property was put on ice.
Two theatrical films were released starting in 2011: the first film came seven years after the property's acquisition, but its future cinematic prospects were shelved following the middling performance of the 2014 sequel, Muppets Most Wanted. An ABC sitcom was cancelled after a single season in 2015 while plans for a Disney+ series have reportedly been tabled for good.
Reports indicate Disney's apparent lack of interest in the property -- including its hesitation to include the majority of its Muppets programming on Disney+ -- stems from Iger not viewing the property as a priority but, rather, one he inherited from Eisner's tenure. As such, Iger has largely focused on properties he saw acquired by the company, including Pixar in 2006, Marvel Entertainment in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012.
With Iger replaced by a new CEO in Bob Chapek, the future of The Muppets with Disney still remains uncertain. It may benefit from the new corporate leadership. As one of the most recognizable brands in the world, it's only a matter of time before Kermit the Frog leads his friends on new adventures either on television or the big screen.
(via Vanity Fair)