Segel: Stars jumped for Muppets (From York Press)

Segel: Stars jumped for Muppets

8:23am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Jason Segel has revealed celebrities clamoured to cameo in The Muppets.

Like the award-winning TV series, which saw appearances from Elton John, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry and Roger Moore, the movie - the first to feature Jim Henson's puppets in 12 years - is packed with celebrities including Ken Jeong, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin and many more.

According to Jason, who got the film into production, co-wrote the script with Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller and stars as Gary, it was easy getting the stars on board.

"We didn't have to make any outgoing calls. There's an intrinsic love for the Muppets, so when people heard we were doing this movie, they showed up in droves to try to be in the film. We got some awesome cameos, and some weird ones too," he said.

The long-time Muppets fan, who makes and performs with puppets in his spare time, revealed the film is a passion project.

"The Muppets were my first comic influence and I was in love with puppetry. We ended Forgetting Sarah Marshall with a lavish puppet musical and The Jim Henson Company designed the puppets," he said.

"Something started growing in my belly and we pitched it to Disney. It was a bit of a campaign by necessity. It's not easy to get a movie made, let alone a movie of this scope."

Jason said the Muppets have a timeless appeal: "They remind us of who we wanted to be as kids. Despite how cynical the world gets, they stay the same."

:: The Muppets opens in cinemas on February 10.