According to a recent multiple-choice poll commissioned by Amazon Books, Austen tops the list of Britain’s favorite writers (The Bard is fourth and Dickens doesn’t even make the top 20), so her current popularity could make this the perfect time for a Muppet adaptation. And by now everyone knows (or thinks they do) the story of Pride & Prejudice, giving it equal footing with Dickens’s A Christmas Carol in pop culture.
This talk of a hypothetical Muppet P&P has got me thinking about what my dream cast would be. But first, one crucial question needs to be answered: Which characters should be played by Muppets, and which characters should be played by human actors? A Christmas Carol isn’t as nuanced as P&P, nor does it have as many characters that are central to the plot. Of course a human needed to play Ebenezer Scrooge, and Michael Caine should have won an Oscar for his performance.
For The Muppet adaptation of P&P, there are three roles I think must be played by humans: Mr. Darcy, Caroline Bingley, and Mr. Wickham.
Brett Goldstein already volunteered to play Darcy in his pitch to The Muppets. He’s right to suggest that Darcy be played by a human actor since so much of the plot hinders on what readers know and don’t yet know about Mr. Darcy. And Kermit the Frog, I’m sorry to say, doesn’t have what it takes to pull the character off. As for Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham, their natures are too wicked to be played by Muppets.
And what about Elizabeth Bennet? I’m torn about whether Austen’s “obstinate, headstrong” heroine should be played by a human or a Muppet. Of course Goldstein suggested the role to Miss Piggy, though I see her more as Mrs. Bennet than Lizzie. And what would it be like to see a Muppet movie where Kermit and Miss Piggy don’t end up together at the end?
So…there’s a lot to consider. For now, I’ll stick to casting some of the characters I think The Muppets were born to play.
The cast
Kermit the Frog as Mr. Bingley
Kermit’s good and happy nature will make him the perfect friend for the uptight Mr. Darcy. He’d still have a starring role, he just won’t be the romantic lead.
Fozzie Bear as Mr. Collins
Fozzie can easily play the conceited, silly, and narrow-minded heir of Longbourne.
Gonzo as Mr. Bennet
Gonzo might not be the first Muppet that comes to mind to play the sarcastic and slightly misanthropic Mr. Bennet, but I think he can pull it off. Gonzo is known for being a little eccentric, just like Mr. Bennet.
Camilla the Chicken as Mrs. Bennet
Camilla is the love of Gonzo’s life, but that’s not why this casting choice works. I think it could be funny to just have Mrs. Bennet squawking throughout the movie.
Sam Eagle as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
I mean, look at his face? Who else could play Lady Catherine?
Muppet Penguins as Militia Officers
Picture them all in regimentals!
Girl pigs as Mary, Kitty, and Lydia
Let’s recast those girl pigs from The Muppet Christmas Carol.
And finally…
Miss Piggy as Elizabeth Bennet
I know I said I wasn’t sure if Miss Piggy should play Elizabeth Bennet, but I’d be remiss not to consider it. I think this casting would really work if a beautiful actress is cast as Jane. Then the Muppet version of P&P could play around with a very jealous Lizzie, a trait that’s strong within Miss Piggy.
Those are my picks! What would your dream cast be for The Muppet Pride & Prejudice?
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My Dream Muppets Pride & Prejudice cast
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When Ted Lasso star and Films to Be Buried With podcast host Brett Goldstein sat down with The Muppets to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol, he suggested that Jim Henson’s creations take on another work of classic British literature: Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
According to a recent multiple-choice poll commissioned by Amazon Books, Austen tops the list of Britain’s favorite writers (The Bard is fourth and Dickens doesn’t even make the top 20), so her current popularity could make this the perfect time for a Muppet adaptation. And by now everyone knows (or thinks they do) the story of Pride & Prejudice, giving it equal footing with Dickens’s A Christmas Carol in pop culture.
This talk of a hypothetical Muppet P&P has got me thinking about what my dream cast would be. But first, one crucial question needs to be answered: Which characters should be played by Muppets, and which characters should be played by human actors? A Christmas Carol isn’t as nuanced as P&P, nor does it have as many characters that are central to the plot. Of course a human needed to play Ebenezer Scrooge, and Michael Caine should have won an Oscar for his performance.
For The Muppet adaptation of P&P, there are three roles I think must be played by humans: Mr. Darcy, Caroline Bingley, and Mr. Wickham.
Brett Goldstein already volunteered to play Darcy in his pitch to The Muppets. He’s right to suggest that Darcy be played by a human actor since so much of the plot hinders on what readers know and don’t yet know about Mr. Darcy. And Kermit the Frog, I’m sorry to say, doesn’t have what it takes to pull the character off. As for Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham, their natures are too wicked to be played by Muppets.
And what about Elizabeth Bennet? I’m torn about whether Austen’s “obstinate, headstrong” heroine should be played by a human or a Muppet. Of course Goldstein suggested the role to Miss Piggy, though I see her more as Mrs. Bennet than Lizzie. And what would it be like to see a Muppet movie where Kermit and Miss Piggy don’t end up together at the end?
So…there’s a lot to consider. For now, I’ll stick to casting some of the characters I think The Muppets were born to play.
The cast
Kermit the Frog as Mr. Bingley
Fozzie Bear as Mr. Collins
Gonzo as Mr. Bennet
Camilla the Chicken as Mrs. Bennet
Sam Eagle as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Muppet Penguins as Militia Officers
Girl pigs as Mary, Kitty, and Lydia
And finally…
Miss Piggy as Elizabeth Bennet
Those are my picks! What would your dream cast be for The Muppet Pride & Prejudice?