Modern Family star Ty Burrell has joined the cast of Disney's sequel The Muppets 2, replacing Christoph Waltz.

We reported in October that Christoph Waltz was in talks to play an Interpol inspector in this follow-up to last year's The Muppets. However, the Oscar winner was forced to back out due to scheduling conflicts. The inspector role that Ty Burrell will take over is said to be one of the key, non-puppet roles. Other parts that are still being cast are a Russian femme fatale and a mysterious male lead.

The Muppets director James Bobin is returning to the helm, working from a screenplay he co-wrote with Nick Stoller. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing. Jason Segel, who co-wrote and starred in The Muppets is not coming back for the sequel.

The story is set throughout Europe, with production slated to begin this winter in London.