Disney Eyeing Reboots Of ‘The Muppets’, ‘Father Of The Bride’ For Streaming Service (Report)

Disney is looking to several tentpole franchises of yesteryear as it seeks to program its forthcoming streaming service, which is slated to launch in the fall of 2019.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Netflix competitor will house a reboot of The Muppets — the variety-sketch comedy show created by Jim and Jane Henson in 1955. Disney acquired the ‘Muppets’ brand — which also encompasses feature films, music, theme park attractions, and merchandise — in 2004 for a reported $75 million. Now, Disney is seeking a new writer to revive the franchise after a 2016 ABC sitcom was cancelled after one season, per the Reporter.

A new Muppets show would join several other rebooted series that are reportedly in the works for Disney’s streaming service, including TV adaptations of: Star Wars

(of which there are several different series in the works, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger); the ice hockey classic The Mighty Ducks; High School Musical; and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. On the feature film side, the Reporter reports that Disney is eyeing reboots of The Parent Trap, Father Of The Bride, and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.

Disney’s upcoming service wlll be headed by OTT programming chief Agnes Chu. In addition to the reboots, it will also house Disney’s existing fleet of massive Marvel titles.