Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the gang are back in the limelight thanks to their new hit film, “The Muppets,” and while the movie reintroduces us to old friends, we also get to meet a brand new Muppet – their biggest fan, Walter!
toofab caught up with the adorable Walter to find out what it was like working with his idols, what he and his film “brother” Jason Segel did when not shooting, and his thoughts on a Muppets sequel!
toofab: Congratulations on the movie! Now that it is in theaters, how has your life changed?
Walter: Oh my gosh, I'm seeing a lot more movies, I'll tell you that much! I've been to see this movie 37 times! My local movie house has a bargain matinee which is a good thing because I spent most of the money I made making the movie on watching the movie!
toofab: You've always been a Muppets fan, what does it mean to you now that you're officially a part of the Muppets?
Walter: It's kind of mind-blowing, I'm running out of superlatives and exclamation points to describe it accurately! I was so caught up in making the movie, and so excited to be there and be part of the Muppets, that I never gave much thought to what happens next. Now I'm like, “You know, the sky's the limit!” My own personal hope is that I can just keep helping more and more people find out how great the Muppets are, and hopefully they'll mean as much to [the fans] as they do to me.
toofab: Kermit was always your idol -- what was it like the first time you met him, then getting work with him?
Walter: You know it was not that different from what you saw in the movie! The first time we had a table read, I passed out cold, I hit my head and everything. People kept staring at me like “Is he gonna be like this the whole time?“ But Kermit was great! He's been doing this for over 50 years, he could be a total diva but he's not. What you see is what you get.
toofab: Jason Segel is a big star too, he could also a diva. How was he as your brother?
Walter: (laughs) Jason made a great brother! We actually had a lot of fun. We hung out together off-camera -- we'd go out to dinner, we'd do karaoke … and actually, since the movie's come out, it's funny cuz people keep getting us confused!
toofab: Well you do look a lot alike!
Walter: We do, I know! His nose is a little bigger…
toofab: What was your favorite scene to shoot?
Walter: I really enjoyed everything that we shot inside the Muppet Theater -- I was inside of my childhood dream! With all the Muppets around, all the different characters -- some of whom we haven't seen in years -- it was very, very exciting.
toofab: There are also some pretty physical moments in the movie, did you do your own stunts?
Walter: Thank you for asking that! Yes, I did my own stunts! It was actually pretty painful. Gonzo was terrific, you know he does all of his own stunts too. He actually had some great advice about … well (laughs) unfortunately his advice usually led to more pain. But that's how he rolls.
toofab: Do you hope that there might maybe be another Muppet movie down the line?
Walter: That would be unbelievable, I would love that. But right now I'm just hoping that everyone goes and sees the movie! I think what happens next depends a lot on how many people go and see us. Ok, toofab! You guys gotta get out there and see “The Muppets!”
toofab: That was a great endorsement, Walter!
Walter: Thank you!
Everyone, listen to Walker and catch “The Muppets,” now in theaters!
