That should be the question of everyone’s lips as Muppet fever descends onto the streets of London. Brimming with furry creatures, epic songs and on point comedy, Muppets Most Wanted continues its tour of the globe with new characters and team. This stop in the capitol of the United Kingdom has children of all ages brimming with delight, grabbing their favourite cuddly characters and declaring that they are Muppets!
Well, that was certainly the case for myself and Jo as we curtailed ourselves to the Apple Store on Regent Street to meet the director and fresh faced star of Muppets Most Wanted; James Bobbin and Ty Burrell.
Muppets Most Wanted is the sequel to the 2011 smash hit The Muppets. With Walter now happily part of the motley crew of fuzzy creatures, the gang begin a global tour of shows and adventures. However, when a criminal mastermind escapes from jail, looking exactly like Kermit the Frog, our green hero is caught in a case of mistaken identity. All the while the evil Constantine is masquerading as Kermit in order to pull off the greatest heist the world has ever seen. It’s not easy being mean after all.
“You go straight from the last one and right into this one,” says British Director James Bobin, “we even kick off with the song ‘We’re Doing A Sequel.’ So we are all moving on with the franchise.”
Starting off his career as a writer and director on television with UK beloved shows such as The 11 O'Clock Show and Da Ali G Show, he moved on to hit cult comedy the Flight of The Conchords (with Muppet musical maestro Brett Mackenzie and Jermaine Clement.) Such a background of hysterical comedy background meant that placing the reigns of Henson’s legacy in his hands was a safe bet. “It’s like coming back to family and I am excited to go through it all once more.”
“They say don’t work with kids and animals, I say, don’t work with Ty Burrell.” That’s not quite true. It’s hard not to love Ty Burrell though, as he captivates the audience with his tone and jokes. First starting off playing bit roles and bad guys in films and television, he gained critical acclaim and a heap of fans as goofy dad Phil Dunphy in brilliant comedy Modern Family. In case you haven’t watched it, do. Because while the rest of the cast are stellar in their own ways, it’s Burrell as Dunphy that steals the show, Charismatic, funny and a bit of a dork, it’s no wonder his performance won awards. Talking about the Muppets though, and he was very nervous about stepping into that world. “They’ve had sixty years to perfect their craft, so it’s pretty daunting.”
Hitting the big screen, Burrell recently voiced the titular character dog in Mr Peabody & Sherman and is a voice in Pixar sequel Finding Dory. So keeping to the fun family films, it’s no wonder he crops up in Muppets Most Wanted as Jean Pierre, a European Police Officer who spars off with Sam the Eagle. Watching two clips of the pair together gives us just a little taste of what to expect. One word springs to mind, hilarity.
“It’s definitely a scene that I basically threw in as much conflict jokes between Europe and America,” Bobin announces, “I mean, when I was writing all I could think was ‘who would annoy Sam the Eagle, this patriotic real American character the most? Ah a really really European French guy.”
Of course, you don’t just enter the world of the Muppets. There isn’t an adult around who hasn’t at least heard of them. Most of us grew up with the wonders of Kermit and Miss Piggy with their whimsical jokes, big heart and as compere Edith Bowman calls it “warmth.” So did Burrell and Bobin have that relationship beforehand?
“You grow up watching it about the television” says Bobin, clearly in love with this world he now plays a big part of it. With such an impact on adults and children alike, as Bobin grew up he realised that there are different levels of comedy on the show “And you’d laugh at bits and then you’re Dad behind you. I was like ‘wait a minute, this is my show’ only for him to think the same. It’s definitely a family thing.”
“I used to watch it every week with my family and as I’ve grown up, I can see it differently,” continues Burrell, “but my dad, he used to laugh so hard at Statler and Waldolf which I didn’t get. I used to think my dad was the funniest person in the world though so it brings you close, especially as you grow to appreciate it.”
Relationships are important for The Muppet gang, through family, audience and each other. Bobin has a great relationship with the man behind the music; Brett MacKenzie who bagged an Oscar for his work on the 2011 movie for Best Original Song (Man or Muppet.) “He is a musical legend and he is very much about the melody so it is catchy and appealing. You just give him a few words and he goes off and captures the scene so well. He is a genius.”
And the music in this new movie sounds epic (the prelude to tonight’s events showcased them all.) “There’s a Spanish version of The Muppet Outro, which is terribly catchy.”
And Vogel even improvs, which in the clip of the villain shows the comedic might behind the puppeteer!
Turning the questions towards the audience now and the first person with her hand shooting up straight away was a plucky young beautiful film journalist. That’s right, Cookie N Screen. Because after all, the big question is; are they men or are they muppets?
“Well, like Jean Pierre I am pretty much 1% away from being a Muppet,” laughs Burrell while Bobin flat out states, “I’ve been around Kermit and working with him for so long that I am 100% Muppet now.”
As mentioned before, Bobin writers the movie as well as directs. So how does he get all the ideas and what’s his writing process?
“Sandwiches and writing” he laughs, saying the best times of the process was when we goes around Nicolas Stoller (co-writers) house to write lines and eat bread snacks. “You really have to write stuff down the minute it comes.”
While it is still all hush hush around the celebrity cameos despite the countless reviews and previews around at the moment, Bobin does let slip that Miss Piggy has a day dream and who better to appear than Celine Dion. “It’s strange because you phone up these massive celebrities expecting them to say now then all of a sudden they go ‘yes.’ There is such a brilliant response to The Muppets.”
Talking about celebrities, cameos have been a major part of The Muppets since the original television show. Surely, the guys would have a favourite one. “I remember Peter Sellers because he was so dark,” Bobin remembers, “And was asked ‘Why aren’t you Peter Sellers on shows?’ by Kermit for him to reply ‘I just don’t know who that is anymore.’ Really sad and dark.”
“I don’t remember the humans,” Burrell says but let’s hope kids remember him in this movie!
Burrell, being American tackles the French accent in this film. Complimenting him on his performance an audience member asks how he perfected it. “Thank you for the compliment! By the way, states Burrell, you’re American accent is amazing,” he says with a chuckle, “I was on the phone to James and I was really pretentious with it asking ‘what region in France do you want me to speak in?’ To which James replied, ‘somewhere in the comedy region.’”
Another journalist, completely intelligent and stunning, (Jo) asked, though it’s different to pick a favourite, which Muppet do they relate to most?
“I throw a lot of bad jokes out there so I am definitely Fozzy Bear,” says Burrell.
“I work with him all the time, he is my co-director so I am basically Kermit.” States Bobin.
The Muppets have always had an English comedy feel, appealing to loads of residents in United Kingdom and maybe not landing so well with the Americans. “Well, it was made over here so it picks up those Monty Python esque vibes” says Bobin. “It’s actually funny that while Henson was making it, he tried to sell it to ABC but they didn’t like it. He brought it to England and Lew Grade of ATV Associated Television so it was made in London and sold back to America. It’s probably why Americans find it weird sometimes.”
It’s safe to say that with the abundance of t-shirts, our very own beaker and the wooping (totally not from the guys behind I’m With Geek,) that The Muppets is still very well received. With such an empathic and tremendous response, could Bobin see a third in the works? “I could do this forever. So yes.”
Finally, still bridging the age gap, the youngest member of our audience pipes up to ask a question; What’s it like filming in London?
“My wife, and I, loves this city so when she heard I was filming over here she was ecstatic,” says Burrell (dashing hopes of those dreamy eyed women pawing after him,) “So I love it, London is great.”
“ I am from here, I live in L.A now, so it’s like coming home,” says James, “and funnily enough we managed to get Annie Sue from the original show back on so that is great!”
On that note and great story, the men are whisked away and not without snapping shots with a few eager fans. It’s safe to say that this movie looks stellar and fun, which will grab more fans than before as well as pleasing the old ones.
And what does Beaker think?
"Me me me me me me!"
Muppets Most Wanted is out in UK this Friday.
Many thanks to Apple Store Regent Street!