“The Muppets,” the first theatrically released film to unite the iconic puppets in 12 years, was released in December and is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday.
The Lantern spoke to the film’s stars, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Walter, about the film.
TL: Kermit, was there any hesitation to sign-on for this film? Why or why not?
K: Absolutely no hesitation. When I saw the movie was going to be called “The Muppets” and there was a part in it for a frog named Kermit, I just knew this project had my name written all over it. Plus, it was great to get back together with the whole gang and make a movie again. I just hope folks have as much fun watching it as we had making it.
TL: Miss Piggy, you and Kermit reacquainted on this film. What was the relationship like between you two behind the scenes? What’s it like now?
MP: Kermie and moi have always been truly, madly and deeply in love, both on screen and off. As for our “separation” in the movie, this was merely a dramatic device. In real life, I haven’t let the frog out of my sight. We’re thrilled to be together and if it got any better it might technically be illegal.
TL: Fozzie, you left the Moopets to reunite with the Muppets. Are you guys back together for good or have you gone separate ways?
F: I am back with the Muppets. As much as I enjoyed being out there on the road with the Moopets, there’s nothing like getting back with my real friends. I know the Moopets are still out there touring, so if you’re on the road and see them, say hello from me … and find out if they ever found my watch.
TL: Walter, “Man or Muppet” won an Oscar. What’s it like being part of an Oscar-winning song?
W: It is head-explodingly amazing. I mean this is my first ever movie. Heck, before this movie, I was nothing … literally. And now I sang the song that won an Oscar, a song written by Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords. Hollywood dreams really do come true … especially if you hang out with the Muppets.
TL: Walter, do you and Gary still keep in touch with the Muppets? If so, what’s the relationship been like? If you don’t keep in touch, why not?
W: Actually, I’m pretty much with the Muppets full-time now. Gary has gone back to Small Town to continue his life with Mary. And I’ve gone to completing my studies as a Muppet-in-Training, which pretty much means running endless errands for Miss Piggy. You may not know this, but she can be pretty demanding.
TL: Kermit, you guys got to introduce the Muppets to an entirely new generation of viewers that may not have ever been introduced to you had it not been for this film. What does that mean to you?
K: I’m so glad we’re back on the big screen and that friends, old and new, can discover us again. You know, we’ve spent a lot of years doing TV and Internet and other stuff, but there’s something about being in a movie that makes people really notice you. (It may have something to do with being 30 feet tall on the screen). We’re happy to be back … and we hope to be around for a long time to come.
TL: Miss Piggy, the DVD and Blu-ray of “The Muppets” is coming out Tuesday. With that film now mostly behind you, what’s next for you and the rest of the Muppet crew?
MP: Moi has so many projects in development. (That’s Hollywood talk for “let’s go to lunch and charge it to the studio but not do any real work.”) I know we’re talking about a sequel to “The Muppets.” I can’t really tell you anything about it, but suffice it to say that moi will be in it. And really, what else do you need to know?
