Muppets Haunted Mansion sees Gonzo challenged to spend a daring night in the Haunted Mansion found in Disney theme parks for a Halloween special from October 8. The one-off terrifying tale on Disney Plus will feature a horde of Muppet appearances, including other favorites such as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Swedish Chef, Sam the Eagle, Scooter, aged hecklers Statler and Waldorf plus new music and spooky fun with celebrities making cameo appearances (see below for who).
So here’s our guide, to all we know so far about Muppets Haunted Mansion, including some amazing guest stars and the official trailer...
'Muppets Haunted Mansion' release date
Muppets Haunted Mansion launches worldwide on Disney+ from Friday Oct. 8, so there's plenty of time to give it a watch, enjoy the fun, and get into the Halloween spirit!
'Muppets Haunted Mansion' trailer
The official trailer for Muppets Haunted Mansion has been released by Disney Plus. In it we see Gonzo and Pepe try and survive the night in the titular haunted local, with glimpses at some our favorite Muppets and a slew of celebrity guest stars joining them. Watch the full trailer below.
'Muppets Haunted Mansion' — first look pictures and what else we know
Accompanying the announcement of Muppets Haunted Mansion on the official Disney Parks YouTube channel is an interactive tour of various incarnations of the Mansion with an intro video by Uncle Deadly, the poshly spoken Phantom of The Muppet Show himself — hinting that he could take centre stage in the one-off special! see below...
The Muppets Haunted Mansion first look pictures released show us Kermit cross dressing along with Miss Piggy (see main image) at a fancy dress party. Kermit also portrays a ghost while Miss Piggy takes on the role of spell casting witch Madame Leota from Disney's Haunted Mansion ride.
Meanwhile Gonzo also takes centre stage. See more first pictures below as Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn walking down the Corridor of Doors in the haunted mansion, dressed in their black tie best. And why is Scooter dressed as Elvis? See the fun picture of him as Elvis above, taking team with Piggyfied Kermit? In another fabulous scene Miss Piggy holds a seance.
This will be the Muppets’ first-ever Halloween special and it does feature three new original songs called Rest In Peace, Life Hereafter and Tie The Knot Tango.
Bill Barretta, Andrew Williams, David Lightboy and Leigh Slaughter serve as executive producers of Muppets Haunted Mansion, while Kirk R. Thatcher is director.
The late Ed Asner will cameo in 'Muppets Haunted Mansion'
The late award-winning actor Edward 'Ed' Asner (Lou Grant, Elf, Up) will be making a guest appearance in Muppets Haunted Mansion. Ed passed away in August 2021, meaning this upcoming Disney+ special will be his first posthumous release.
This news was revealed on The Muppets' Twitter account, where they also promised that more surprise guest appearances would be revealed soon.
A very special cheer to our good friend Edward Asner! Celebrate his cameo in #MuppetsHauntedMansion and more surprise guests to be revealed soon. The Original Special starts streaming October 8 on @DisneyPlus. #Hallowstream pic.twitter.com/kdovJT1ZVSSeptember 14, 2021
Darren Criss in 'Muppets Haunted Mansion'
Glee star Darren Criss is also joining the cast of Muppets Haunted Mansion, playing 'The Caretaker'. Check out his Twitter below! The musical theatre star played all-singing all-dancing Blaine Anderson in hit series Glee but also a serial killer American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (currently on Netflix) so he can definitely show his scary side too, which could be perfect for Halloween.
Take care foolish mortals cuz I’m care-takin’ with @TheMuppets for their Halloween special, The Muppets Haunted Mansion coming soon to @disneyplus. Check this grim grinning bro out to socialize… pic.twitter.com/8vvWtDegTJAugust 31, 2021
Other guest stars making cameos in 'Muppets Haunted Mansion'
Joining the late Ed Asner and Darren Criss are Chrissy Metz of This is Us fame who appears to be wearing a viking helmet (see below) plus super-cool Alfonso Riberio (Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Yvette Nicole Brown is playing 'The Hearse Driver' and TV presenter Geoff Keighley is the Singing Bust 'Uncle Theodore'. Arrested Development star Will Arnett is 'The Ghost Host' and Taraji P Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) plays 'The Bride'.
Other well-known names in the Muppets Haunted Mansion are Jeannie Mai, Danny Trejo (Machete), Sasheer Zamata (I Feel Pretty), Pat Sajak, Skai Jackson, Justina Machado and Craig Robinson.
'The Muppet Show' original series currently on Disney Plus
Before watching Muppets Haunted Mansion, you can currently enjoy all episodes of The Muppet Show on Disney Plus. This original series ran from 1976 to 1981 and was filmed at Britain’s Elstree Studios just outside London. It became a huge hit around the world and set the Muppets on course for further success with their movie and TV franchise.
Devised by master puppeteer Jim Henson, roving reporter Kermit the frog had already appeared in preschool series Sesame Street, but The Muppet Show introduced us to new faces such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the Swedish Chef plus musicians such as Dr Teeth and Animal. They all seen in a theatre putting on a variety show and introduced a guest star every episode. The guests got ever more illustrious through the run of The Muppet Show, with the likes of Sir Elton John, Ethel Merman, John Denver, Liza Minnelli, Bruce Forsyth, Rudolf Nureyev and more (tune in to see!). Among the regular sketches were Veterinarians Hospital, Pigs In Space and the cantankerous old gentlemen Statler and Warldorf who’d heckle performers from their theatre box.
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