Frank Oz Takes Aim at Disney For Making The Muppets ‘Superficial and Dishonest’

Frank Oz has spoken out about what he sees as a failure by Disney to properly handle the Muppets franchise. Oz, the legendary puppeteer who worked with Jim Henson on the Muppets and performed some of the most iconic characters in the property, replied to a fan on Twitter and proceeded to post a series of messages criticizing Disney for its work with the Jim Henson Company characters.

Oz wrote, “So far the writers Disney has employed don’t know to write for The Muppets. I imagine their hubris makes them believe they can. But the characters need writing that has depth and honesty.” He proceeded to talk about how he hasn’t previously spoken out because he “wanted to give them time to work with the key performers to understand the heart of each character, and I didn’t want to sound like sour grapes. But I joined Jim when I was 19. I’m 74 now. It’s time.”

He added that he would work with Disney under certain conditions, but those included “is that the key performers have the final approval on what their characters will say and do. Which means I will never be asked.”

He can see his full set of posts below.

So far the writers Disney has employed don’t know to write for The Muppets. I imagine their hubris makes them believe they can. But the characters need writing that has depth and honesty. I suppose a version of The Muppets will survive. But they won’t be true.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

Doesn’t have to be me. They just need the humility to ask one of us. They never have. As was told to me our key performers who’ve been with Jim up to 40 years, were not allied in the writers room in the last series.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

That is why a version of them will survive, because of the wonderful affection the world has had for the characters in years past. The affection is not growing out of the present writing.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

Me neither. I’ve said little about The Muppets under Disney. I wanted to give them time to work with the key performers to understand the heart of each character, and I didn’t want to sound like sour grapes. But I joined Jim when I was 19. I’m 74 now. It’s time

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

Yes. And it’s so great that you feel that way but it is indeed more difficult then people think. JERRY JUHL was the master. One has to feel the relationships between the characters, their wants, their inner conflicts, their affection for each other, and on and on. All unspoken.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

No, they have never asked me. I would work with them if the script was worthwhile and under certain conditions. One of the conditions is that the key performers have the final approval on what their characters will say and do. Which means I will never be asked.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

Yeah. Me neither. But the Muppets are more the true Muppets whenever the key Muppet performers are involved. When Disney does not want their involvement, the characters become superficial and dishonest. (Debbie McClellan at Disney is one who does know the heart of The Muppets).

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018

Yes. Dead wrong. They didn’t have a clue about who Kermit really is. Same with the other characters they wrote for.

— Frank Oz (@TheFrankOzJam) December 17, 2018