When Jim Henson died in 1990, he had already negotiated a deal to sell his beloved Muppet characters to the Disney Company, believing that a large, brand-focused company could keep the Muppet films alive while he took a break to focus on more creative and weirder films. , ambitious projects. Since then, Disney has had hot and cold with the Muppets, making several notable hit films, but also several unforgettable television specials and a few television shows, including two bombed spectacularly.
Disney has learned that making movies with the Muppets requires a delicate balance. Kermit the Frog is an innocent and honest character, devoid of cynicism, but the Muppets have always possessed an element of self-awareness. The original “Muppet Show,” after all, was half a variety program with singing/dancing Muppet performers, and half a behind-the-scenes drama with difficult Muppet actors and overworked Muppet stagehands. Most Muppet films have addressed their status as a theater troupe, and many Muppet stories arise from behind-the-scenes drama between its members.
However, three of the existing Muppet films took a new and interesting approach with the franchise’s core concept. “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” “Muppet Treasure Island” and “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz” treated the troupe as simple repertory actors, tackling film versions of classic literature. In “Christmas Carol,” for example, Kermit played Bob Cratchit. In “Treasure Island”, he was Captain Smollett. In “The Wizard of Oz” he was the Scarecrow.
This is an ingenious take on the Muppets, as they are flexible enough to exist in any great work of literature. Additionally, audiences get to see their range as Muppet performers; Kermit is, after all, a comedian. It’s a shame that the franchise only did it three times, even though, as there were, so many wonderful works of classic literature that could have been made into Muppet productions.
So it’s a fun time to theorize. What piece of classic literature would have made great adaptations in the Muppet films? Here are some suggestions:
