How interesting...which points back to my first proposed concern...BUDGET CONSTRAINTS. The fact that Henson wouldn't fly them over points to cost cutting [which isn't always a bad thing]. I'm however quite shocked that Brian & Wendy weren't flown to the USA for a film of this magnitude. On the first film, Brian and Wendy were around during pre production, and the physical production itself.
When you're at the point that you think you don't need the two people who helped established the feel and look of the world you're re-creating, you're WAY off course, GENNDY!!!!
J.M. Prater