Disney+ is developing The Muppet Show reboot with Seth Rogen producing and Sabrina Carpenter in backdoor pilot

Disney+ is bringing back The Muppet Show with a new event special set to premiere in 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of Jim Henson’s original series. The project is produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures, with Sabrina Carpenter joining as both guest star and executive producer. The special is designed as a backdoor pilot, meaning if it performs well, it could lead to a full reboot series.

Filming will take place in Los Angeles, with the production recently securing a $1.6 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. Albertina Rizzo is writing the special, while Alex Timbers will direct it. Both are also on board as executive producers alongside Carpenter, Rogen, Goldberg, James Weaver, Alex McAtee, David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter, Michael Steinbach, Matt Vogel, and Eric Jacobson.

The Muppet Show project reunites veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, David Rudman, Vogel, and Jacobson, ensuring continuity with the characters fans know. Goelz, who has been with the franchise since its earliest days, will again perform Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. The special will see Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and the rest of the troupe back at the Muppet Theatre staging a variety show.

Disney+ Bets on The Muppet Show with anniversary special and potential reboot

The central focus of the new Disney+ The Muppet Show project is its role as a backdoor pilot that could determine the franchise’s future on television. Disney is using the 2026 anniversary special not just as a celebration of Jim Henson’s original work but as a strategic test to see if audiences still want a weekly variety format featuring the Muppets.

Unlike past attempts such as Muppets Now and The Muppets Mayhem, this special returns the characters to their most recognizable setting—the Muppet Theatre, where the format is familiar and proven.

The production of The Muppet Show project will feature Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and others putting on a variety show, blending sketches, comedy, and music in the way the original series did between 1976 and 1981. This approach is deliberate, as it avoids reinventing the property and instead uses the formula that once drew global audiences.

The Muppet Show project also underscores Disney’s confidence in high-profile creative names. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures are driving the production, with Rogen’s recent Emmy wins for Apple TV+’s The Studio adding credibility. Sabrina Carpenter’s involvement goes beyond a guest spot, as she is also an executive producer.

Carpenter has previously expressed her admiration for the Muppets, making her presence both a casting choice and a marketing move aimed at younger viewers who know her music and acting work. For Disney, her inclusion provides a built-in audience that may not have engaged with the brand otherwise.

The choice of Albertina Rizzo as writer and Alex Timbers as director signals an effort to modernize without losing the show’s identity. Rizzo is known for sharp comedy writing, while Timbers has stage and screen experience that aligns with the theatrical nature of the Muppets.

Behind the scenes, Disney has assembled its longtime Muppet performers, including Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel. Their presence ensures that the character voices, movements, and personalities remain consistent, something that has been crucial for fan loyalty over decades.

Financially, Disney’s decision to film in Los Angeles and apply for California’s film tax credit program shows the scale of its investment. The $1.6 million credit offsets costs while keeping production close to the company’s base.

More importantly, it indicates Disney views the Muppets as a long-term property worth testing on a large stage. The outcome of The Muppet Show project will determine whether a full series revival moves forward, making the 2026 event not just a nostalgic return but a pivotal business decision for the franchise’s future.

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