It’s finally here! The much anticipated sequel, Muppets Most Wanted is now in theaters everywhere! 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, Dublin 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 the Frog—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon and Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard.
Below are some fun facts about the movie that are great for all you Muppets fans out there!
FUN FACTS:
LUCKY NUMBERS– According to the opening number in “Muppets Most Wanted,” the new film is the seventh sequel to their original motion picture, 1979’s “The Muppet Movie,” so it’s really the Muppets’ eighth big-screen extravaganza in 35 years.
REDEMPTION – “Muppets Most Wanted” star Ricky Gervais actually filmed a cameo for Disney’s “The Muppets,” but the scene was ultimately cut from the film. Fortunately, his bond with the Muppets was cemented and he reunited with the gang for the new film.
FRENCH TY – Ty Burrell’s character Jean Pierre Napoleon is a French Interpol Agent. Director James Bobin pitched the character as an amalgam of all the French inspectors that ever existed. Bobin also reportedly discouraged subtlety in Burrell’s performance.
GULAG GARB – The look for Tina Fey’s character Nadya was inspired in part by the girl in Elton John’s video for “Nikita.” Who says prison guards can’t be a little sexy?
AND THE WINNER IS – Constantine has never lost in the voting for “World’s Number One Criminal” – though some suspect he cheats.
A DRESSING ROOM WITH A WALK-IN CLOSET – With a whopping 24 costume changes, Miss Piggy has more outfits than any Muppet or human. She has more costumes than all of the humans combined.
ANYTHING FOR THE MUPPETS – Despite the fact that film crews are rarely given access, the Tower of London granted permission to the Muppets team to film inside the walls of the famous locale. Extra security was assigned to Constantine.
JUST IN CASE, KERMIE – Miss Piggy’s ring size is an 8.
DECADES OF FUN – “Muppets Most Wanted” officially takes place present day, however, filmmakers traveled back in time to add flavor to the film. The plot harkens back to ’60s crime capers. The music sports elements of the ’80s. Production design for the Hollywood scenes paid homage to ’40s-era Hollywood. Costume design uses references from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s. And the Muppets, who burst onto the entertainment scene in 1976, keep the ’70s close to their hearts.
SEEING STARS — In the grand tradition of the Muppets, the film features a host of cool cameos. Revealed so far are Danny Trejo, Tom Hiddleston, Celine Dion, Salma Hayek, P Diddy, Christoph Waltz and Ross Lynch.
CHOO CHOO – The Bluebell Railway, a heritage line running for 11 miles along the border between East and West Sussex in England, features in the film. The period station doubled for Dublin station in “Muppets Most Wanted.”
BIG MUSCLES – Animal’s bicep (flexed) measures 4 1⁄4 inches. (It measures 4 1⁄4 inches when he’s not flexing, too.)
LAUGH OUT LOUD, OUT LOUD – According to set sources, director James Bobin was often caught laughing on set—repeatedly. Same scene? Same joke? Still laughing.
CREW THE DANCERS – After shooting several takes of a musical number sung by Tina Fey, the entire crew was invited to join the cast on set for the final take.
BIG WHEELS — Agent Jean Pierre Napoleon’s teeny tiny little European car in “Muppets Most Wanted” is named Le Maximum (of course).
FACE IN THE CROWD – Director James Bobin invited his mom and dad to serve as extras at a Muppets celebration in one of the film’s climactic scenes.
TYING IT UP — Kermit’s shoe size is a Kids’ size 5 (U.S.). Constantine claims his is a 5 1⁄2 (but he’s likely exaggerating).
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