Directing a Muppets movie can really raise the old stock, I see. It took only seven months for James Bobin to go from the co-creator of a cult show to a big-time Hollywood comedy director, with a Muppets sequel and, possibly, the Zach Galifianakis-starring Confederacy of Dunces occupying the next few years alone.

Now, Variety says he’ll team with New Line and Tom Hanks‘ Playtone on Agent Zigzag, a biographical, World War II-set spy tale (based on the Ben Macintyre book) that’s been scribed by Rowan Joffe (The American). The original publication, something of a definitive account, told the true story of Eddie Chapman, a British criminal who, though initially acting as a spy for Germany during World War II, was obtained by British services and made into one of their most effective double agents.

Much different — also, I think, far more interesting — than his past or pending work; possibly his next, too. Most had assumed that The Muppets 2 would follow last year’s hit in good time — you can’t imagine Disney doesn’t want it out as soon as possible — but Variety says “it is unclear where that film is in development.” (I would think, if the zero updates signify anything, that the proposed summer 2013 opening has been pushed back.) Though I know plenty will want more of Kermit and Miss Piggy, I, being a strong enthusiast of both spy stories and World War II adventures, want Zigzag to have top priority right this instant.

Even at the outset, does Zigzag come across as interesting material?