#leight slaughter

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The Wrap Unveils Scrapped "The Muppets X "Big Thunder Mountain" Special As It Details How Disney Has Been Mishandling "The Muppets" IP For Almost A Decade And How Josh D’Amaro Is Set To Change That.

Fans are awaiting to see what the future holds for The Muppets at Disney. As as we get closer to the release date to the reboot of "The Muppet Show" with a new special that acts as a backdoor pilot for a full reboot order. The reboot special slated for Wednesday February 4 on Disney+ and ABC Network is being EP by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Sabrina Carpenter, Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson trought Point Grey Pictures, The Muppets Studio, 20th Television and Disney Branded Television.

The Wrap has written an article detailing how Disney has been mishandling the IP with "The Muppets Studio" being tossed to multiple divisions across the company for the past decade with the only sucessful project being the "Muppet Babies" reboot from Disney Jr. Education & Inclusion that debuted in 2018. Fortunately "The Muppets Studio" have two new homes at Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Branded Television since 2021.

The article detailed that The Muppets Studio had plans for more additional specials following "Muppets Haunted Mansion" with one of them centered around "Big Thunder Mountain" but these projects never never materialized.

The special was fun anarchic, but while additional specials were planned, including one centered on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, they never materialized.

During the article it was revealed that Josh D’Amaro (Disney Experiences and Products CEO) who's likely becoming The Walt Disney Company CEO has a big love to Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and The Muppets franchise. D' Amaro has been vocal about wanting to bringing more "Muppets material" into the parks.

"Josh D’Amaro, his heir apparent, has made noise about bringing more Muppets material into the parks – and if he’s running the company, hopefully the characters will beyond the Disney Parks."

Disney's 'Muppets' Lost a Generation of Children. Can a New Show Make it Relevant Again?

After a decade of mismanagement neglected to put the Muppets in front of a generation of kids, can a now show bring them back?

Since August, 2025 we have seen the company actually making efforts of bringing back the iconic Jim Henson characters. Other major projects include "The Muppets" take over of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster At "Disney's Hollywood Studios" for Summer 2026. Dynamite Comics recently acquired the comic book license for The Muppets with "The Muppets Noir" an original comic slated for Februrary 2026 and NECA Toys snagging the license for new figures and toys basedon the IP.

In December, 2025 it was revealed that The Muppets Studio are developing Muppet “live appearances” for the Disney Theme Parks and the Disney Cruise Line as the fleet expands with more ships. “They want some laughs and a little bit of joy. We’re here to make the world a whole lot happier and a little weirder.” --- Leight Slaughter (The Muppets Studio VP and VP of Live Entertaiment at Walt Disney Imagineering)

Additionaly there's a "Miss Piggy" movie in development by Jennifer Laurence, Emma Stone and Cole Escola at Walt Disney Studios with it's last update being in January 2026.

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Dana Walden Promotes Debra OConnell As President Of Newly Created Unit "Disney Entertainment Television". Craig Erwich Will Move To 20th Television And 20th Television Animation Units, No Longer Overseeing Disney Branded Television Unit.

Dana Walden, incoming President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company as of Wednesday, has revealed the new leadership structure of Disney Entertainment with the creation of Disney Entertaiment Television with Debra OConnell appointed as the new CEO of the unit.

The new unit will oversee television projects with the company's television studios. In her new role, OConnell is adding the television brands, including ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and creative for 20th Television, Disney Television Animation and 20th Television Animation, to her current portfolio of ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations.

Debra OConnell, who was just promoted as Disney Entertainment Television, has unveiled her direct reports: Craig Erwich, Ayo Davis, & Courteney Monroe

Ayo Davis (Disney Branded Television CEO, Disney Television Animation VP of Development & Current) and her team—Meredith Roberts (Disney Television Animation CEO & SVP of Animation at Disney Branded Television) Zack Ollin (Disney Television Animation VP of Development & Current), Leight Slaughter (The Muppets Studio VP), and Orion Ross (Disney EMEA Animation VP)—will now directly report to Debra OConnell with current and future animated and puppetry projects across Disney Branded Television for Disney Channel and Disney+.

Fromer Disney Branded Television co-executive Craig Erwich will no longer be part of the Ayo Davis unit and will be moved to oversee adult-driven series across 20th Television and 20th Television Animation for traditional networks and Hulu. Erwich will report to Marci Proietto (20th Television Animation CEO) in upcoming and current adult animated series at the studio.

"Team, Before anything else, I want to thank Dana Walden for her extraordinary leadership and for the confidence she has placed in me to serve as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. With that in mind, I’m pleased to share my new senior leadership team with all of you. Ayo Davis and the Disney Branded Television team will now report to me." -- Debra

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"The Muppets" Live Experiences Coming To Disney Parks And Disney Cruises According To The Muppets Studio Vice-President via Time Magazine

Disney is actually committing to it's Muppets revival plans?

Since August, 2025 we have seen the company actually making efforts of bringing back the iconic Jim Henson characters. These plans are set to start in 2026 with a backdoor pilot of "The Muppet Show" reboot on Disney+. During that year we will see The Muppets take over of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster At "Disney's Hollywood Studios". Last month Dynamite Comics acquired the comic book license for The Muppets with "The Muppets Noir" an original comic slated for Februrary 2026.

Additionaly there's rumblings of a "Miss Piggy" movie in development by Jennifer Laurence, Emma Stone and Cole Escola at Walt Disney Studios. After all of this, one has to wonder what's next? well according to the TIME Magazine, The Muppets Studio are developing Muppet “live appearances” for the Disney Theme Parks and the Disney Cruise Line as the fleet expands with more ships

Time Magazine journalist Chris Nashawaty sat down with Leigh Slaughter to shed some light on the future of The Muppets at Disney. Luckly Slaughter had this to say about the public’s desire for more Muppets

“They want some laughs and a little bit of joy. We’re here to make the world a whole lot happier and a little weirder.” --- Leight Slaughter (The Muppets Studio VP and VP of Live Entertaiment at Walt Disney Imagineering)

Chris Nashawaty ended his article on giving the following update

“To that end, fans may want to start booking their travel plans for next year, because they’re about to see a lot more of Kermit and company at Disney’s cruise ships and theme parks, including live appearances from the characters on land and sea.” --- Chris Nasahwaty

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Disney Branded Television Hires Former Netflix Dramas Exec As EVP of Production For Disney Branded Television

Atiya Henry has been named Executive Vice President of Production for Disney Branded Television, it was announced today by Disney Branded Television President Ayo Davis. Henry will report as a key member of Davis’ senior leadership team.

In this role, Henry will oversee all aspects of production for Disney Branded Television’s portfolio of award-winning animated and live-action programming for Disney+, Disney Jr. and Disney Channel which includes "Phineas And Ferb", "Kiff" , "Big City Greens", "Spidey And His Amazing Friends", "Chibiverse", "The Proud Family: Louder And Prouder", "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+", "Iron Man And His Awesome Friends" and "SuperKitties".

Atiya will work closely with Meredith Roberts (Disney Television Animation CEO & SVP of Animation Disney Branded Television), Leight Slaughter (The Muppets Studio VP), and Orion Ross (Disney EMEA Animation VP) and with creative and business leaders to guide productions from development through delivery and support an expanding slate of entertainment across multiple formats.

“Atiya is a highly accomplished production executive who knows how to bring ambitious storytelling to life. Her experience across a wide range of genres and her collaborative leadership style make her an ideal partner to our production and creative teams and partners as we continue to build the industry’s most ambitious slate for kids and families,” - Ayo Davis (Disney Branded Television CEO, Disney Television Animation VP of Development and Current)

“Disney has played an important role in shaping many of the most iconic stories for kids and families around the world, and it’s truly an honor to join a team that is defining the space for future generations. I’m excited to partner with Ayo and the talented Disney Branded Television team to help deliver stories that audiences will grow up with and carry with them for years to come.” - Atiya Henry

Henry joins Disney after spending the past seven years in physical production for Netflix’s drama division, where she oversaw production on such shows as Firefly Lane, Sweet Magnolias, Ransom Canyon, the family-centered superhero drama Raising Dion, as well as the upcoming reimagining of Little House on the Prairie, reflecting her experience across multiple genres and storytelling styles.