Muppets from Space
Muppets From Space was the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. Released in 1999, it was directed by Tim Hill.
Plot Synopsis
Gonzo has always been classified as a "whatever," but after he begins to have disturbing dreams of abandonment, he begins to realize just how alone he is in the world. After an alien race appears to be trying to send him a message through bowls of cereal, Gonzo realizes that he may not be so alone after all and climbs to the rooftop to start watching the sky. His dreams are realized when he's hit by a bolt of lightning that serves as a conduit that allows him to communicate with a pair of cosmic fish, revealing to him that he is, in fact, an alien from outer space.
When Kermit and his friends refuse to believe his wild raving, however, Gonzo is lured into the clutches of K. Edgar Singer (Jeffrey Tambor), a government agent who has also taken note of the aliens' attempts at communication and believes that Gonzo is his key to convincing his superiors that aliens do in fact exist. Kermit and the gang spring into action to rescue Gonzo, with the help of some handy inventions courtesy of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
After a talking sandwich reveals to Gonzo the location of the eventual alien landing site, the Muppets (along with a crowd of alien-happy spectators) await their arrival. The ship comes to Earth and the aliens, who all look suspiciously like Gonzo, apologize for abandoning him but welcome him back to the fold. At first Gonzo considers going with them, until he realizes his true home is on Earth with his surrogate family and friends.
Trivia
After the death of Jim Henson, the character of Rowlf had been retired to honor his passing. Rowlf does make a non-speaking background appearance in the film, however. Likewise, the character of Scooter had stopped appearing after the death of puppeteer Richard Hunt, but Scooter appears briefly in the movie in a speaking cameo.
Dave Goelz had recorded a new rendition of "I'm Going to Go Back There Some Day" for this film, a song which had originally appeared in The Muppet Movie. There was some debate over whether the characters would sing in the film, and in the end the song was dropped, but was included on the Muppets in Space soundtrack.
Among the many pop culture references, K. Edgar Singer makes a Star Trek reference in the film, complete with the appropriate musical cues from the original 1960's television series.