Jason Segel was the driving force behind last year’s resurgence of “The Muppets” movie, so why did the star choose to bow out of the sequel (currently being penned by Nick Stoller)?
“I worked on [‘The Muppets’] for half a decade. I’m incredibly proud of what I did,” Jason told Access Hollywood at the junket for his latest film, “The Five-Year Engagement” in Los Angeles on Friday. “My goal wasn’t to become a Muppet – I just wanted to restore The Muppets to The Muppets I grew up with and give them a platform to do everything that they want to do.”
Adding, “And now I feel I should pursue more human-related projects.”
In addition to pursuing more varied projects, the actor, who is in his seventh season on CBS’ hit series, “How I Met Your Mother,” said he didn’t want to force a script for the sequel if he wasn’t ready.
“I had what I think was a really good idea for the Muppet re-launch and I didn’t have an organic idea ready for the sequel, so I thought [I should] leave it to someone who does,” he said.
As for “The Five-Year Engagement,” which Jason co-wrote and stars in alongside Emily Blunt, the actor said he’s been “very interested” in moving into the next phase of his life, which got him thinking about relationships and marriage.
“Part of the idea that we wanted to explore is the idea that relationships are fluid over that amount of time, and you’re not signing up for the moment you say, ‘I do,’ you’re signing up for the rest of your life when you choose a partner – and things are gonna change,” he told Access of his inspiration for the movie. “So, you really are choosing a lifelong partner in crime versus who this person is at this given moment, because we’re constantly changing.”
“The Five-Year Engagement” hits theaters on April 27.
— Erin O’Sullivan
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