Does Disney finally understand how to handle the Muppets?
Disney just closed the Muppets Courtyard in Hollywood Studios to make way for Monstropolis. But while Muppet Vision 3D, Jim Henson’s Last Muppet project, is gone, the Muppets aren't leaving Hollywood Studios; they’ve moved into the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Is this a promotion or a demotion? To understand what’s happening today, we have to look back to the deal that almost happened in 1989.
In this episode, we explore the history and connection between Jim Henson, George Lucas, and Michael Eisner. We dive into the the handshake between Eisner and Henson that almost changed Disney forever, the tragic timing of Jim Henson's final project, and why it took Disney 14 years to finally close the deal.
In this video, we look at:
The commonalities between Jim Henson and Walt Disney.
The George Lucas bridge that brought Jim Henson to Imagineering.
The "Muppet Babies" connection to Marvel and Star Wars.
The "Great Muppet Movie Ride" was planned but never built.
Why the 1990 TV Special "The Muppets at Walt Disney World" was a bittersweet turning point.
The future of the Muppets in film and in the Disney Parks.
0:00 – The Muppets Courtyard and Monstropolis Construction
1:00 – Jim Henson, Walt Disney, and Creative Parallels
2:10 – Innovations in Puppetry and Technology
3:10 – The Muppets’ Rise: From TV Specials to Film
4:30 – Pre-Disney Connections: George Lucas and Marvel
6:15 – The Birth and Impact of Muppet Babies
8:01 – Jim Henson, Michael Eisner, and the Disney Deal
11:11 – Jim Henson’s Passing and the Aftermath
16:09 – The Muppets and Disney: Media, Parks, and Evolution
21:00 – Closing Muppet Vision 3D: Legacy, Loss, and New Beginnings
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