Longtime Jim Henson collaboratorFrank Ozsays that Disney just “does not getThe Muppets”. The iconic Oz voiced Bert, Miss Piggy, Grover, Animal, and Sam Eagle forThe Muppetsfrom 1963 to 2004, which would lead one to believe that he knows a thing or two about how Jim Henson envisioned the characters and their rebellious spirit.The Muppetswere taken over by Disney in 2004 and many believe that since then, the true spirit of what Henson always had in mind vanished from the beloved characters.
In a new interview, Frank Oz goes out of his way to say that he’s not “knocking” Disney and adds that he’s never been asked for any input regardingThe Muppetsin any way. He clearly doesn’t have a problem with Disney since hereprised his role of YodaforThe Last Jedi. But when it comes toThe Muppets, something has been missing since Disney took control. Oz explains.
“As much as Disney lovesThe Muppetsand wants the best forThe Muppets, and they truly believe they can do it,they don’t get it… They don’t get the true rebellion and true affection underneath those characters.”
Going back to the fact that he’d never been asked for any input, 73-year old Frank Oz believes thatThe Muppetswould be better if Disney listened to the performers. Oz went on to champion the performers behind-the-scenes whobring Jim Henson’s creations to life. Oz truly believes thatThe Muppetswould be more successful if Disney listened to the crew behind-the-scenes. He had this to say.
“They’ve never asked me, and they have not asked the performers how to do it. If they just did that, the performers are so brilliant, instead of an outside person, let the performers lead. Then it would be a whole different deal.”
This isn’t the first time that the subject of Disney not “getting"The Muppetsand their spirit has been brought up in the last year. Steve Whitmire voiced Kermit the Frog from 1990 to 2016 and waslet go by Disney for having a difference in opinionto a storyline on the show. Disney claims it was over “inappropriate business,” while Whitmire claims that it’s because, “I have insight into their limitations with respect to how well they knowThe Muppets.” Steve Whitmire had worked withThe Muppetssince the late 1970s and was personally asked to take on the role of Kermit after Jim Henson passed away.
Steve Whitmire was fired fromThe Muppetsreboot show that failed miserably and has since left a bad taste in the mouths of fans and the crew who have worked with the characters for, so long. Disney has set their sights on a reboot of theMuppet Babiescartoon, which will debut on Disney Channel on March 23rd. you may read the rest of what Frank Oz had to say about Disney andThe Muppetsover atThe Hollywood Reporter.
