’Fozzie is my favourite muppet’

We talk to Amy Adams, the voice behind Mary, the newest member of the Muppet family that races to save the day in the soon-to-be-released film

'Fozzie is my favourite muppet'

We talk to Amy Adams, the voice behind Mary, the newest member of the Muppet family that races to save the day in the soon-to-be-released film

How did you get involved in Disney's The Muppets?
Jason [Segel] and Kermit [the Frog] sent me an invitation to be in Disney's The Muppets ufffdthey asked if I'd read the script and consider the role of Mary. Kermit was a big part of my decision. I don't like to tell Jason this because he's a little sensitive about me being partial to Kermit, but I am. I play Gary's girlfriend. She's a shop teacher. She puts up with Gary and Walter who are best friends and brothers, and at times that relationship can seem more important than Mary and Gary.

What is the movie about?
The Muppets begins with a new Muppet, Walter, who is very cute. Walter, Gary and Mary set out on this trip to LA ufffd they each have different hopes of what this trip will bring. When they get there, they take a tour of the Muppet studio and find it abandoned. Tex Richmond, an evil oil baron, is planning on tearing it down and drilling for oil. Walter finds out about this plan and they make it their purpose to get the Muppets back together to put on a show. They find Kermit and that's where the adventure begins. Fozzie is in Reno. Kermit's a bit of a recluse. Miss Piggy is the plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, and Gonzo is a very successful plumbing agent.

Have you always been a Muppet fan?
I was really into the Muppet movies, the TV shows, the songs. Fozzie was my favorite. Isn't he everybody's favorite? He's cute and says "Wocka Wocka" ufffdI always thought he was awesome. He has that cute purple nose, a hobo hat and his bad jokes. It's every kid's dream ufffd when you're playing with your stuffed animals you wish they'd come to life and talk to you. And now, the Muppets are real. It sounds weird to say it, but I guess I do now: I have a personal relationship with the Muppets.

Is The Muppets meant for kids?
I hope that adults are able to relive magical moments from their childhood and I hope that kids are introduced to the world of the Muppets, which is a world of possibility, a world of friendship, a world in which it's always easier to do things when you come together as opposed to trying to do it as an individual. I think that the lesson that the Muppets teach you is about dreaming.

How do you pick film projects?
I start out with a list of what I am looking for.u00a0 Sometimes something presents itself that is on that list and sometimes something surprises me. I didn't expect The Fighter to come along. You know, I want a great director, or something fun, or some great material. All of that is there anyway for what I am hoping for. But I try to stay open so that I can be surprised like I was with The Fighter or The Muppets even. I didn't know that I would return to family films. I love doing them, but after The Fighter I was like, 'I've played this tough girl.' And now I'm like, 'Oh, no. I am in ringlets again!' But I couldn't say no to the Muppets. I love the Muppets.

The Muppets releases on November 25.

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