Muppets Most Wanted

Muppets Most Wanted
Group picture of the Muppets with two men and a woman standing behind them. In the background is a gray globe of the world.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Bobin
Written by
Based onDisney's Muppet characters and properties
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDon Burgess
Edited byJames Thomas[1]
Music byChristophe Beck
Production
companies
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures[3]
Release dates
  • March 11, 2014 (2014-03-11) (El Capitan Theatre)
  • March 21, 2014 (2014-03-21) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$50 million[4][5]
Box office$80.4 million[5]

Muppets Most Wanted is a 2014 American comedy film[6] directed by James Bobin, produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, and written by Bobin and Nicholas Stoller. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mandeville Films, it is the eighth theatrical film featuring the Muppets,[7] and serves as a sequel to The Muppets (2011). The film stars Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey, alongside Muppet performers Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel and Peter Linz.[8] It was also Tony Bennett's final film before his retirement in 2021 and death two years later. In the film, the muppets become involved in an international crime caper while on a world tour in Europe.

Aside from co-writer Jason Segel, the majority of the production team behind The Muppets returned for Muppets Most Wanted, including Bobin, Stoller, Hoberman, and Lieberman.[9][10] Bret McKenzie and Christophe Beck also returned to compose the film's songs and musical score respectively.[11] Principal photography commenced in January 2013 at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.[12] The sound mix was produced by Dolby Digital.[13]

Muppets Most Wanted had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on March 11, 2014, and was released theatrically in North America on March 21, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film made less than its predecessor, grossing $80.4 million worldwide on a budget of $50 million. It received positive reviews from critics who praised its humor, music, and emotion. The film was dedicated to longtime Muppet performer Jerry Nelson, who died during the film's development, and Jane Henson, who died two months into production.

  1. ^ Theatrical poster credits block via Rottenberg, Josh (October 28, 2013). "Check out the new poster for 'Muppets Most Wanted' -- Exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  2. ^ Simon, Brent. "Review: Muppets Most Wanted". Screendaily.com. Screen International. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Var was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (March 11, 2014). "How Kermit and the Muppets Got Their Mojo Back". Variety. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Muppets Most Wanted (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. July 19, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Muppets Most Wanted". www.bbfc.co.uk.
  7. ^ Rottenberg, Josh (January 30, 2013). "A first look at the Muppets sequel, 'Muppets ... Again!' – Exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  8. ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (March 1, 2012). "New Muppets Movie Going Ahead, But Without Jason Segel As a Writer". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (August 16, 2012). "'The Muppets' Producer Mandeville Re-Ups With Disney (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  10. ^ Miller, Daniel; Kit, Borys (October 31, 2012). "Christoph Waltz in Negotiations to Star in 'The Muppets' Sequel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  11. ^ Weintraub, Steve. "'The Muppets' Sequel Update: Filming Begins in Late January at Pinewood Studios in London; Bret McKenzie Writing New Songs". Collider.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  12. ^ Lussier, Germaine (January 15, 2013). "Sequel Bits: Fast and Furious 6, Star Trek 3, Muppets 2, Catching Fire, Legend of Conan". /Film. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).