Have you seen the new movie The Muppets yet? Well, if you haven't, then you've missed the introduction to the felt acting troupe, Walter. This big-hearted new Muppet joins Jason Siegel, Amy Adams, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the whole Muppet crew in the Muppets' return to the big screen.
We had a chance to speak with Walter recently about his new-found fame, working with his hero, and we even get in a little word association!
MTV Geek: So, congratulations on your first big role.
Walter: Oh, thank you so much. It’s so exciting.
Geek: Could you tell our audience what it was like working on a big budget movie with your heroes, the Muppets?
Walter: You know, it was absolutely a dream come true. In the movie, I play “Walter” who’s a huge Muppet fan since he was a kid. But serendipitously enough, my name is Walter and I have been a huge Muppet fan ever since I was a kid. It’s a dream come true, it’s overwhelming, it was kind of painful—on account of I did my own stunts. It’s the experience of a lifetime, I’m just thrilled.
And then to have it be such a big hit right off the bat, I couldn’t be happier.
Geek: Were you ready for all of the singing that the movie called for?
Walter: Yeah, actually I was really excited about it. And who knew, right? And they make me sound great in the movie! I do my own singing, my own dancing, my own stunts. The one thing I was a bit nervous about was whistling. But actually, I had a little bit of help with that.
I think the most incredible part was meeting Kermit, you know, for the first time. What you see in the film when I totally pass out, that’s pretty much what happened the first time I saw him. Jason Siegel started crying and I hit the floor.
Geek: Were you able to maintain your professionalism around your heroes?
Walter: Actually, there was some concern that I wouldn’t be able to remain professional throughout, but happily, the Muppets are, and they were great and they were super supportive.
Geek: Do you think your new celebrity has changed you at all?
Walter: Aw, I certainly hope not. If there’s anything I’ve learned from Kermit, it’s to stay humble and don’t believe your own press. Kermit the Frog’s been doing this for over 50 years and he could be a total diva but he’s not, you know? He’s just Kermit, he’s just a frog. And I think that’s a really good lesson to learn. What you see is what you get.
It has changed the way people talk to me because a lot of the time people see me walking down the street and say, “Hey Jason, how’s it going?” People get us confused all the time now. I think a lot of people are going around calling Jason “Walter.”
Geek: Are you worried you might have to do some kind of reinvention to avoid the confusion?
Walter: Oh, I don’t mind, it’s flattering. Jason’s not an ugly guy. [laughs] I don’t mind it so much.
Geek: Did you ever ask Kermit how he’s been able to stay in the industry for so long and keep his good looks?
Walter: Oh, I haven’t actually asked, but I’ve heard him answer that question before and I think it’s his diet, which I’m not sure I’m ready to follow. He eats a lot of flies and mosquitoes, a lot of grasshoppers, and apparently that’s the secret to eternal youth. I don’t know if I’m ready to follow that diet.
Geek: Who were some of your favorite human actors that you worked alongside in the movie?
Walter: Oh, gosh, that’s like saying do I have a favorite child—which is weird, because I don’t have any kids at all. You know, I’m not even sure why I would say that.
But, I was with Jason and Amy for almost the entire film and they’re just so great. They’re both so funny and I loved working with both of them. If there’s anybody besides Jason and Amy, any one of the human performers, I had a lot of fun with Rob Corddry. His scene got cut from the final film but we actually had a really good time together.
Geek: One of the big surprises for me is that Jason has some pretty good pipes on him in the film. Were you surprised that he was such a good singer?
Walter: Yeah, you know, who knew, right? He hasn’t exactly been a big song and dance guy and we had a lot of fun singing together. Actually, so much so that during our downtime we also did some karaoke.
Geek: How about a little word association—I’ll name one of your Muppet co-stars and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.
Walter: Oh wow. Oh yes!
Geek: First the big one: Kermit…
Walter: Singing!
Geek: Miss Piggy…
Walter: Coffee. Because she never remembered my name and she was always asking me to get her coffee. I gotta tell ya, it’s really tough to find a double latte with no milk.
Geek: Rowlf…
Walter: Talented.
Geek: Fozzie…
Walter: Funny!
Geek: Dr. Teeth…
Walter: Oh, class! Classy, yeah.
Geek: And my personal favorite, Gonzo…
Walter: Pain. And at this point I should really mention that Gonzo has really helped me out—as I mentioned I did my own stunts in the film. Gonzo gave me a lot of great advice, but unfortunately, his advice usually got me hurt even more—which according to him is a good thing, so I must have done it right.
Geek: Have the offers for follow-up projects started pouring in?
Walter: Oh gosh, well right now I’m just really concentrating on this film and getting the word out and hoping people will go see it—you know, people who are longtime Muppet fans. It’s been a long time since the Muppets have had a big movie and so there’s a whole generation of kids that have never seen these characters. What’s so wonderful about the film is that people who know these characters know that they’re going to love this movie.
Geek: Do you have any final words for longtime Muppet fans out there?
Walter: I do. Kermit once said that he had a dream about singing and dancing and making people happy. And that’s the kind of dream that gets better, the more people you share it with. So what I dream is that I want to share this with everybody in the world. And no matter how crazy, mixed up, and insane things get, as long as there’s still Muppets, there’s still hope.
You can watch what Muppets co-writer Nick Stoller had to say about Walter in this clip below from MTV Movies:
Nick Stoller Talks About Working With The New Muppet Walter
And here is a trailer for The Muppets:
The Muppets is currently in theaters now.
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MTV Geek Review - 'The Muppets: Green Album'
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