Christoph Waltz expressed his enthusiasm for working alongside the Muppets during the filming of Muppets Most Wanted, highlighting the unique charm and professionalism of his puppet co-stars. Featuring an acclaimed cast and an array of celebrity cameos, 2014’s Muppets Most Wanted marked a notable point in the franchise by including Waltz in a memorable self-portraying appearance, a detail central to the continuing allure of these films.
History of Celebrity Guest Appearances in the Muppets Franchise
The Muppets films are known for inviting renowned performers to interact with the beloved cast of puppets. Previous entries included Charles Grodin, who joined as a villain at the pinnacle of his career in The Great Muppet Caper, and Michael Caine, who introduced a touching version of Scrooge after his Academy Award win in Hannah and Her Sisters for A Muppet Christmas Carol. These traditions carried forward into Muppets Most Wanted, where the likes of Salma Hayek, Tom Hiddleston, James McAvoy, Miranda Richardson, Frank Langella, Hugh Bonneville, Saoirse Ronan, and Toby Jones all made appearances during Kermit’s world tour storyline.
Christoph Waltz’s Role and Perspective on Filming
While most celebrities took on playful, fictional characters, Christoph Waltz was given the rare opportunity to play himself. During a performance set in Germany, Waltz took part in a lighthearted waltz with Sweetums, a towering and comedic Muppet. This casting decision followed major recognition for Waltz, who had recently been honored with the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ Oscar for his roles as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds and Dr. King Schultz in Django Unchained, both directed by Quentin Tarantino. Interestingly, Tarantino himself had previously made a cameo as himself in The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz television movie.
Waltz’s Motivation for Appearing in Muppets Most Wanted
Despite his reputation as a serious actor, Christoph Waltz eagerly adjusted his schedule to join the film’s ensemble. As he explained to the BBC,
“I only had one day, but I wanted to do it because of the Muppets. They are the most enchanting and unusual colleagues, if I can call them such, that you could possibly imagine.”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
Working With the Muppets: A Unique On-Set Experience
Waltz, who is known for his advocacy for professionalism and has participated in numerous prestigious projects, described what set his experience with the Muppets apart from other productions. He emphasized the lack of ego among his puppet co-stars, which contributed to a refreshing collaborative environment:
“They have everything the actor has except the ego, so the flow in the exchange is completely unobstructed,”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
“It’s really magical to find yourself playing with these puppets, like you would with any other creature you might play with.”
— Christoph Waltz, Actor
The Impact of Muppets Most Wanted and Future Possibilities
Although Muppets Most Wanted did not perform as well as earlier films in the series, it holds significance as potentially the last major theatrical release for the iconic puppets. Given the enduring popularity of The Muppet Show on Disney+ and Disney’s continued interest in the brand, the possibility of the Muppets returning to the big screen remains. Should this occur, Christoph Waltz has expressed clear enthusiasm for once again collaborating with his memorable and unusual colleagues.
