LOS ANGELES — The Muppets will return to the Muppet Theatre for a new variety show in a Disney+ special set to air in 2026, marking the beloved franchise’s 50th anniversary.

Seth Rogen plans to revive the iconic puppet troupe with pop star Sabrina Carpenter guest starring and serving as an executive producer on the special.

The one-off event could reportedly serve as a backdoor pilot that would help launch a new iteration of the iconic series, according to sources familiar with the project.

Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel will perform the majority of the Muppet characters in the special. Goelz, who has worked with the Muppets for more than five decades, was part of the original “The Muppet Show” cast and created beloved characters including Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

The project brings the Muppets back to their variety show roots after years of focusing primarily on feature films and streaming content. The original series “The Muppet Show,” created by Jim Henson, ran from 1976-1981 and aired in more than 100 countries, featuring notable guest stars including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon and many others. The media franchise was purchased by Disney in 2004 and all five seasons of “The Muppet Show” are streaming on Disney+. 

The special follows Disney+’s recent Muppets projects, 2021’s “Muppets Haunted Mansion” and the 2023 series “The Muppets Mayhem.”

For Rogen, the project adds to his recent success at the Emmy Awards, where he won four awards for Apple TV+’s “The Studio.” 

Carpenter, who got her start as a child actor and is known for hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” has been a fan of the Muppets for years and once named Kermit as her favorite potential Hollywood date in an interview.

No specific air date has been announced beyond the 2026 timeframe.