Tuesday July 6, 1:53 pm Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Columbia Pictures Announces World Premiere of ``Muppets From Space''

The world premiere of Columbia Pictures' and Jim Henson Pictures' ``Muppets From Space,'' to benefit Save the Children, will be held on Sunday, July 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Cary Grant Theatre at Sony Pictures Studios, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, Calif.

Attending from the film will be:

Kermit the Frog  David Arquette           Stephanie Allain (exec prod)
Gonzo            Andie MacDowell          Kristine Belson (exec prod)
Pepe the Shrimp  Tim Hill (director)
Jeffrey Tambor   Brian Henson (producer)

     Other celebrities expected to attend are:

Antonio Banderas  Melanie Griffith   Mimi Rogers
Alice Cooper      Tippi Hedren       Arnold Schwarzenegger
Courteney Cox     Val Kilmer         John Singleton
Tony Danza        Frank Oz           Paul Williams

The Muppets are back in the zany comedy ``Muppets From Space,'' a hilarious extraterrestrial adventure about the search for Gonzo's past. On a quest with buddy Rizzo to find his real family, Gonzo discovers that his long-lost relatives are actually aliens from a distant planet. After announcing to the world on Miss Piggy's talk show, ``UFOMania,'' that he is living proof that ``we are not alone in the universe,'' Gonzo becomes the target of paranoid government operative K. Edgar Singer (Jeffrey Tambor). In the end, Gonzo must not only escape the Singer compound, but decide to either board the mother ship and join the family that he has always wanted, or stay on Earth with the friends that he has always known and loved.

Columbia Pictures/Jim Henson Pictures' ``Muppets From Space'' is directed by Tim Hill, making his feature film directorial debut from a screenplay by Jerry Juhl, Joseph Mazzarino and Ken Kaufman. The film is produced by Brian Henson and Martin G. Baker and executive produced by Stephanie Allain and Kristine Belson. Co-producers are Timothy M. Bourne and Alex Rockwell. The creative team includes director of photography Alan Caso, editor Michael A. Stevenson, A.C.E., production designer Stephen H. Marsh and costume designer Polly Smith.

Save The Children

Save the Children works to make lasting, positive changes in the lives of children in need. Founded in the United States in 1932, Save the Children is an international non profit child assistance organization. In 40 countries, including the United States, it helps children and their families improve their health, education, and economic opportunities. It also helps children, women, and men recover from the effects of natural and man-made disasters. Save the Children US is part of a global movement for children through the International Save the Children Alliance. The Alliance is a worldwide partnership of 25 independent Save the Children organizations that work in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being and protect the rights of children everywhere.

``Muppets From Space'' opens on Wednesday, July 14.

Columbia Pictures
Liz Biber, 310/244-4446