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CHARACTERSHOME VIDEO
SOUNDTRACKMORE
Released March 21, 2014
Duration theatrical: 107 min (1h47m)
extended: 119 min (1h59m)[note 1]
Director James Bobin
Written by James Bobin & Nicholas Stoller
Music Bret McKenzie (songs)
Christophe Beck (score)
Studio Walt Disney Pictures
Mandeville Films
Rated PG for some mild action

Muppets Most Wanted is the Muppets' eighth feature film, a direct follow-up to the 2011 feature film The Muppets, released by Disney in 2014. The screenplay was written by James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller, returning from the previous film. Bobin also returned to direct the film.

A new Pixar short, featuring characters from Monsters University, preceded the film in its theatrical release.[1]

The film was initially described as a "comedy caper" set in Europe.[2] Ricky Gervais stars as Dominic Badguy, "a male lead whose intentions are always in question," along with Ty Burrell as Jean Pierre Napoleon, a French Interpol agent, Tina Fey as "a feisty prison guard named Nadya," and a "slew of cameos".[3][4][5]

According to an interview with Kermit the Frog:

The idea of this film is that our gang is on this global tour, and we're selling out these grand theaters all over Europe—in Berlin, Madrid, London—but we sort of get into a little bit of trouble when we run across my doppelgänger. He's the world's number one criminal, Constantine, and he happens to look an awful lot like me. I won't tell you any more than that, but let's just say mayhem ensues.[6]

Official Synopsis[]

MUPPETS-MOST-WANTED

US poster.

Muppets Most Wanted UK poster

UK poster.

Disney’s "Muppets Most Wanted" takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon. Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” is directed by James Bobin and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin co-wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, who is also executive producer with John G. Scotti. Featuring music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, “Muppets Most Wanted” hits the big screen March 21, 2014.

Cast[]

TheMuppetsAgain-EW

Promotional image.
(see also a variant with James Bobin)

Muppets again kerandpiggy
MuppetsMostWanted-logo
Muppet Performers
Human Cast
UK Muppet Performers
Additional UK Muppet Performers
LA Muppet Performers

Muppet Cast[]

  • Muppet Characters (speaking)
Andy and Randy Pig, Animal, Babies, Beaker, Beauregard, Big Mean Carl, Bobby Benson, Bobo the Bear, Bull (extended cut), Camilla the Chicken, Chickens, Constantine, Crazy Harry, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Dr. Teeth, Floyd, The Flying Zucchini Brothers, Foo-Foo, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Hobos (extended cut), Janice, Kangaroo (extended cut), Kermit the Frog, Leprechauns, Lew Zealand, Link Hogthrob, Manolo and Carlo Flamingo, Miss Piggy, Miss Poogy, The Newsman, Penguins, Pepe the King Prawn, Pops, Rizzo the Rat, Robin the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Sam the Eagle, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf, The Swedish Chef, Sweetums, Uncle Deadly, Walter
  • Background Muppets (non-speaking)
'80s Robot, Afghan Hound, Angel Marie, Annie Sue, Armadillo, Behemoth, Beautiful Day Monster, Black Dog, Blind Pew, Blustering Bellowpane Monster, Bubba, Bulls, Cactus, Calico, Captain Pighead, Carter, Cockatoo (extended cut), Croaker, Dead Tom (as Thomas Blood), Dr. Julius Strangepork, Droop, The Early Bird, Esther, Frackles, Frogs, Geri and the Atrics drummer, Gil, Gorillas, Gramps, Howard Tubman, J. G., Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy's offspring, Koala (extended cut), Lips, Mahna Mahna, Marvin Suggs, Mildred Huxtetter, Muppaphone, Muppets Tonight Band drummer, The Mutations, Nigel, Old Tom, One-Eyed Jack, Pigs, Pigeon, Pokey, Quongo, Rats, Roy, Shark, Sheep, Snowths, Spamela Hamderson, Spotted Dick, Thingy-Thing, Thog, Trumpet Girl, Unicorn, Walleye Pike, Wayne and Wanda, Whatnots, Zoot

Crew[]

Muppet Workshop

Release Dates[]

  • Argentina - March 20, 2014
  • Philippines / United States - March 21, 2014
  • UK - March 28, 2014
  • Australia / New Zealand - April 3, 2014
  • Netherlands - April 16, 2014
  • Singapore / Portugal - April 24, 2014
  • Germany - May 1, 2014
  • France - May 7, 2014
  • Brazil - June 26, 2014

Production[]

Development[]

TheMuppets2
James Bobin and Nick Stoller

James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller, screen writers of the film.

Tinafeymuppet

Tina Fey (as Nadya) on the set of Muppets Most Wanted

On March 3, 2012 it was announced in Variety that James Bobin and Nick Stoller would pen the screenplay for a sequel to The Muppets.[16] Bobin and Stoller started writing the script on April 12, 2012 which was described as a "comedy caper" set in Europe.[2] In a March 2012 interview, Jason Segel (co-writer, producer, and star of The Muppets) said that he will not return for the sequel, stating: "I have handed off the Muppets to my writing partner [Nick Stoller] and to James Bobin. My goal was to bring the Muppets back and I feel like I accomplished that. I feel like they're in really good hands. But it was half a decade of my life, I just want a little breather, and I know that they're going to nail it."[17] Stoller said the film could possibly have a cameo for Jason Segel,[2] however Segel later stated that he will not appear in the film.[18]

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy appeared at CinemaCon on April 24, 2012 to officially announce that a new Muppet movie is in development. (YouTube) The official Muppets Facebook page reported the news with a teaser image for "The Muppets 2."[19]

It was reported in November 4 that producer Todd Lieberman and composer Bret McKenzie will return for the sequel, which began filming in late January 2013 at Pinewood Studio in London.[2] Principal production in London wrapped on April 16, 2013[20] and filming moved to Los Angeles in May 2013.

In February 2013, production designer Eve Stewart let slip that she was working on a scene featuring Miss Piggy's wedding at the Tower of London.[21] In addition to the United Kingdom, filming also took place outside the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, to recreate the previous film's ending.[22]

In January 2013, Disney announced a release date of March 21, 2014 for the film.[23][24] The working title for the film, which was used throughout principal filming, was "The Muppets... Again!."[25] On June 13, 2013, Disney announced that the film had been retitled Muppets Most Wanted.

Casting[]

In October 2012, it was announced that Christoph Waltz was originally in negotiations to star as the lead Interpol inspector in the film,[3] however in December it was announced that Ty Burrell was signed to the role (Waltz had declined the part due to schedule conflicts).[4] In an interview posted later that month, Waltz said he'd been talking about the movie again and may still appear, but "it might just be one of these little what-they-call cameos."[26]

On December 16, 2012 Ricky Gervais announced that he would star in the film. Gervais tweeted: "I have just signed up to play the lead in the next Muppet movie. I have the biggest trailer but Kermit will spend some time in my sink."[5] Gervais commented on his role in the film on his website: "You may have read that I have accepted the lead role in the next Muppet movie. I didn't so much accept it as jump at the chance. I fucking love The Muppets. (I'll probably have to tone down my language for Disney.) We start filming in January. I can't wait. I'll be hangin' with those cuddly little critters all day."[27]

In January 2013, reports surfaced that Tina Fey was in the final negotiations to play "a Russian gulag prison guard" in the film.[28]

Marketing[]

In July 2013, Kermit and Miss Piggy appeared a YouTube video from the cast and crew of Muppets Most Wanted congratulating the royal family on the birth of Prince George. (YouTube) Later that month Muppets Most Wanted was featured in a series of Disney Channel interstitials starring Disney Channel stars and cameo actors Ross Lynch and Debby Ryan.

Disney released the first teaser trailer for the film on August 6, 2013 and was shown in theaters with screenings of Disney's Planes. The film's theatrical poster was released on October 28, 2013[29] and a full theatrical trailer was released on November 21, 2013.

In the months leading to the film's release, the Muppets made many appearances in promotion with the film; including tie-ins with such clients as Toyota, Lipton, QVC and Club Penguin, as well as appearing on talk shows, web videos, and other media.

Promotional stills[]

Behind the scenes photos[]

Merchandise and tie-ins[]

See Muppets Most Wanted Merchandise

Several books based on the film—Kermit's Double Trouble, a read-along storybook and CD, and a junior novelization—were released in February 2014. Additionally, The Muppets Character Encyclopedia featured many of the film's new characters.

The film's soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records. A collection of Muppet plush dolls - including a doll of the villain, Constantine - were released by the Disney Store in January. A trick-or-treat bag for the film was available at Disney's Hollywood Studios around Halloween 2013 to promote the film.

Advance screenings[]

Sources[]

MMW-GesuchtPoster
  1. Entertainment Weekly. Disney to showcase new Pixar short 'Party Central' in front of 'Muppets Most Wanted' - EXCLUSIVE. January 7, 2014
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Exclusive MUPPETS Sequel News: It’s a Caper, Will Have New Muppets, Jason Segel Might Cameo, Possible Summer 2013 Release, More Collider.com 4/13/12
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Christoph Waltz in Negotiations to Star in 'The Muppets' Sequel", The Hollywood Reporter. October 31, 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Vulture: Ty Burrell Set to Star in Muppets Sequel. December 8, 2012.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Twitter.com - @RickyGervais. December 19, 2012
  6. Entertainment Weekly. A first look at the Muppets sequel, 'Muppets...Again!' -- EXCLUSIVE. January 30, 2013
  7. Mikey Brett CV
  8. Simon Buckley's official website
  9. Tim Cherry-Jones: CV
  10. Josh Elwell's official website
  11. Michael Fowkes' official website
  12. Film | Brian Herring: Professional Puppeteer
  13. Nick Kellington CV
  14. Matthew Lyons' LinkedIn profile
  15. Laurence Moran's LinkedIn profile
  16. Disney preps 'Muppets' sequel by Marc Graser (3/3/12)
  17. MTV News 'Muppets' Stars Kermit And Walter Weigh In On Jason Segel's Departure 3/21/12
  18. Jason Segel Says No ‘Muppets’ Sequel Cameo
  19. facebook.com/muppets 4/24/12
  20. Matt Vogel, Twitter
  21. Puchko, Kristy (12 February 2013). "Miss Piggy Finally Getting Married In The Muppets... Again!". Cinema Blend.
  22. Shaw-Williams, H. (10 May 2013). "‘The Muppets… Again!’ Set Photos – Jason Segel’s Character Returning?". ScreenRant.
  23. Release Dates for Pirates of the Caribbean 5, The Muppets 2, and 1952, Collider.com. January 14, 2013.
  24. Twitter: @MuppetsStudio, January 15, 2013
  25. Tina Fey in Talks For ‘The Muppets’ Sequel; Working Title Revealed
  26. Christoph Waltz Talks DJANGO UNCHAINED, Deleted Scenes and THE MUPPET Sequel; Reveals He Might be Doing a Cameo and Dancing with Miss Piggy. December 23, 2012.
  27. RickyGervais.com December 2012
  28. Tina Fey in Talks to Join Disney's 'Muppets' Sequel (Exclusive)
  29. Muppets Most Wanted Poster
Notes
  1. the box lists the extended cut as 124 minutes, but on the disc it runs 119 minutes

See also[]

External links[]

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