“The Muppets” doesn’t arrive in theaters until Thanksgiving, but the movie already has Hollywood abuzz — and not in a good way. The only people to have seen the film, outside of those making it, are lucky members of audience test screenings. Rumor has it that these viewers have been very enthusiastic about the latest movie based on the beloved characters created by Jim Henson. But others have more misgivings — and the critics are close enough to the project to matter.
Frank Oz, the man who created the characters of Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear for “The Muppet Show,” the series that premiered in 1976, isn’t involved in the new movie at all. “I wasn’t happy with the script,” the British-born actor and director revealed to U.K. publication Metro. “I don’t think they respected the characters. But I don’t want to go on about it like a sourpuss and hurt the movie.”
Oz might have a bone to pick: He directed “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” but “Ali G” co-creator James Bobin was handed the reins this time. Oz was actually working on ideas for a new film when this one got the go-ahead instead. But he’s not the only “Muppets” veteran to voice concerns. “The Muppets” will be the first feature film that doesn’t include the talents of Oz or Jerry Nelson (who performed many supporting characters over the year). And even some who worked on the film are skeptical about how it’ll turn out.
Jason Segel of television’s “How I Met Your Mother” co-wrote and co-produced the new movie, which marks the first return to cinemas for the puppets since 1999’s “Muppets from Space.” He also stars, as the brother of new Muppet Walter, who calls himself the biggest fan of the originals. Walter, Segel, and Segel’s girlfriend, played by Amy Adams, need to raise $10 million to save the Muppet Theater (where the TV show was set) after they discover a Texas oilman — with the unsubtle name of Tex Richman, and played by Chris Cooper — wants to raze the building to get at the oil underneath.
Disney, which owns the property, has been heavily promoting the latest entry in the franchise. Besides the usual spots featuring clips from the upcoming film, they’ve created some jokey trailers that parody recent films, such as “The Hangover Part II.” It’s one of the traditional trailers that had veterans steaming, though. The latest spot to hit TV, the Internet, and theaters had Fozzie trying on a pair of “Fart-Shoes.”
“We wouldn’t do that; it’s too cheap,” one told the Hollywood Reporter. “It may not seem like much in this world of Apatow humor, but the characters don’t go to that place,” the vet continued, referring to Judd Apatow’s R-rated, boundary-crossing comedies.
Some who worked on the new film were so affronted that they thought about removing their names from the credits — including the performer that “mouths” Kermit.
Some Henson heirs might be worried about how the legacy will be treated in the new film. But they’d have only themselves to blame if they end up unhappy: They sold the property to Disney in 2004.
Kelly Jane Torrance is The Washington Examiner movie critic. Her reviews appear weekly and she can be reached at [email protected].
