There is now another reason to get excited about the new Muppets film, Ricky Gervais is in talks to take the lead role.

Gervais' role is being kept under wraps but it is said to be on a par with the one played by Jason Segel in last year's The Muppets.

The Muppets sequel will once again be directed by James Bobin, with Nicholas Stoller also returning as screenwriter. Segel, who co-wrote and starred in the earlier film, is expected to make a cameo this time around. Ty Burrell of US TV show Modern Family is to play a lazy Interpol inspector, a role once earmarked for Christoph Waltz.