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Muppets Most Wanted
Photograph: Jay Maidment

The Muppets interview: ‘I’d love to work with Meryl Streep in our next movie’

As Muppets Most Wanted hits theaters, we get inside the heads of the world’s most famous puppets, including a certain porcine leading lady

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In the past, the Muppets have traveled to Hollywood, Treasure Island and—of course—Manhattan, but in Muppets Most Wanted, ​out Friday, March 21, the furry megastars are going for world domination. Filming for the comic caper, which costars Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais, took Kermit, Miss Piggy & Co. to London, Berlin and Madrid. But we wanted to get the lowdown on what it's like to be a Muppet: Who's Fozzie's dream costar? What nasty rumors do they want to clear up? And who's the biggest diva of all? (Okay, that one is easy: Miss Piggy, duh.​) Read on for more bits of insight from the gang.


Kermit
the Frog
 
Miss
Piggy
 
Constantine
(criminal mastermind)
 
Fozzie
Bear
 
Animal +
Floyd Pepper



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

Kermit the Frog

Who was the biggest diva on the set?
Miss Piggy. In fact, being the biggest diva is in her contract. She even has a restraining order that requires other divas to stay back 50 feet.

What’s an unfair assumption that people make about you?
That I’m unhappy being green. True, I have said that it’s not easy, but it’s also on record that it’ll do fine and it’s beautiful; and I think it’s what I want to be.

What’s your favorite thing to do in—or favorite thing about—New York City?
I love going to visit the Statue of Liberty. She’s beautiful, inspiring, sits in the middle of a lot of water, and she’s even green, like me.

If you had to pick one of your fellow Muppets to be your sidekick, who would you choose and why?
I’d say my comedy sidekick is Fozzie Bear. He’s what we in showbiz call a second banana, because his jokes are so a-peel-ing. Note to self: Never borrow Fozzie’s jokes. I also have a sidekick-sidekick—that’s Miss Piggy. When I look at another woman, she kicks me in the side.

If there’s another Muppet movie, who would be your dream costar?
The Muppets are always looking for a few good stars. And we’ve been very lucky to work with some of the biggest names in showbiz. If you’re a star and you’re out there reading this—and you’re willing to work with frogs, pigs, bears and whatevers—give us a call!

More interviews with the Muppets


Miss
Piggy
 
Constantine
(criminal mastermind)
 
Fozzie
Bear
 
Animal +
Floyd Pepper



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

Miss Piggy

Who was the biggest diva on the set?
That’s easy! Moi! I made demands, threw tantrums and otherwise kept everyone alert. It’s just one of the many fabulous services I offer when making a movie.

What’s an unfair assumption that people make about you?
That moi is difficult to work with. All you have to do is meet my demands and pay me oodles, and I’ll work with you! What could be easier?

What’s your favorite thing to do in—or favorite thing about—New York City?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Tiffany’s. With between-meal snacks at Cartier, Harry Winston and the Russian Tea Room. Hey, a girl has to eat.

If you had to pick one of your fellow Muppets to be your sidekick, who would you choose and why?
Moi doesn’t have a sidekick. I have an entourage consisting of stylists, hairdressers, make-up artists, publicists and sycophants. Why? Because I can!

If there’s another Muppet movie, who would be your dream costar?
I’d love to work with Meryl Streep in our next movie. But only if she shows up on set with her Oscars and lets me borrow a few. Call my people, Meryl! Love you!

More interviews with the Muppets


Kermit
the Frog
 
Constantine
(criminal mastermind)
 
Fozzie
Bear
 
Animal +
Floyd Pepper



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

Constantine (criminal mastermind)

Who was the biggest diva on the set?
I thought it would be me. I am world’s No. 1 criminal. This is important, very prestigious post. Many cower at sight of me. But biggest diva on Muppets Most Wanted was pig. Many more cower at sight of her.

What’s an unfair assumption that people make about you?
That just because I am evil villain that I am also bad person. I am not bad person. I am bad frog. Very big difference.

What’s your favorite thing to do in—or favorite thing about—New York City?
I like to go visit the museums to see the beautiful artwork…and steal it. Then, I go to jewelry stores to see the beautiful diamonds…and steal them. After which, I go to the baseball game to see second base…and steal it. [Laughs] Is funny baseball crime joke. You laugh now.

If you had to pick one of your fellow Muppets to be your sidekick, who would you choose and why?
Muppets not reliable criminal sidekicks. Too nice. Too thoughtful. I need someone devious like me, so I hire Dominic Badguy. He is played by funny actor, Ricky Gervais, who has not much criminal experience but is very good at scene stealing.

If there’s another Muppet movie, who would be your dream costar?
I would love to work with fellow master criminal. So, pretty much any Hollywood agent would be good choice, don’t you think?

More interviews with the Muppets


Kermit
the Frog
 
Miss
Piggy
 
Fozzie
Bear
 
Animal +
Floyd Pepper



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

Fozzie Bear

Who was the biggest diva on the set?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that Miss Piggy might karate-chop me.

What’s an unfair assumption that people make about you?
That I ad-lib my entire act. It’s not true. All of my jokes are carefully crafted by myself and my ace comedy writer, Gags Beasley. They may not be funny, but we do write ’em down before I tell ’em.

What’s your favorite thing to do in—or favorite thing about—New York City?
I love to go to the comedy clubs! So many big and up-and-coming comedy stars got their start right here in New York. Carolines, the Comedy Cellar, Stand Up NY… I’ve played them all. And I’m hoping they’ll let me back in someday.

If you had to pick one of your fellow Muppets to be your sidekick, who would you choose and why?
Oh, Kermit is my pal and buddy, but I am his sidekick. Frogs are natural leaders. Bears prefer to stand slightly to the side in case the audience starts throwing stuff.

If there’s another Muppet movie, who would be your dream costar?
We have worked with so many great stars, I cannot even think of who else to ask. Does my comedy writer, Gags Beasley, count as a star? ’Cause if he does, I’d love to have him in the next movie. He could really use the residuals.

More interviews with the Muppets


Kermit
the Frog
 
Miss
Piggy
 
Constantine
(criminal mastermind)
 
Animal +
Floyd Pepper



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

Animal, with Floyd Pepper (bandmate, translator)

Who was the biggest diva on the set?
Animal: Pig! Pig!
Floyd Pepper: That’s right, Animal. Ol’ Miss Fatback is the diva du jour every day of the week.

What’s an unfair assumption that people make about you?
Animal: Wild! Wild! Wild!… Sensitive.
Floyd Pepper: True. A lot of folks only see the out-of-control, rock & roll drummer side of Animal…and that definitely is a big part of his charm. But he’s also extremely sensitive.
Animal: Bunny.
Floyd Pepper: And he likes bunnies, too.

What’s your favorite thing to do in—or favorite thing about—New York City?
Animal: Play ball! Play ball!
Floyd Pepper: Nothin’ Animal likes better than to head up to the Bronx and catch a Yankees game. In fact, after Jeter retires, Animal may try out for shortstop…if we can figure out a way to keep him from eating the ball.
Animal: Sorry.

If you had to pick one of your fellow Muppets to be your sidekick, who would you choose and why?
Animal: Floyd.
Floyd Pepper: And I’d pick you, Animal.
Animal: Awww!
Floyd Pepper: Bandmates forever.

If there’s another Muppet movie, who would be your dream costar?
Animal: Keith Richards!
Floyd Pepper: Yeah, Animal has always wanted to gather some moss with Keith. As for me, I’d love to share the stage with the Boss.
Animal: Springsteen?
Floyd Pepper: I was thinking Dr. Teeth, but Bruce might be fun to jam with too.

More interviews with the Muppets


Kermit
the Frog
 
Miss
Piggy
 
Constantine
(criminal mastermind)
 
Fozzie
Bear



Watch the trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

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