Tough Pigs News Extra
updated August 19, 2002
Kermit's
Swamp Years
coming Sept. 3rd
Kermit's Swamp Years -- the new Muppet direct-to-video movie -- is coming soon! The 82-minute film premiered on the Starz Channel on August 18th, and it'll be released on video and DVD on September 3rd.
I now officially have so much dang material on this project that I'm not even going to bother organizing it anymore. Here it all is, in a big messy heap. Enjoy.
Spoiler Warning: I've tried to avoid having too many "spoilers" on this page, but the cast list and a couple of the pictures may give away surprises that you'd rather not know in advance. If you're completely opposed to spoilers, don't read this page, and I'll catch you in September after you've seen the film.
SYNOPSIS: "Kermit's Swamp Years is the never-before-told story of how the world's most famous frog left the swamp for the very first time and began an adventure that would change his life -- and ours -- forever! Meet Young Kermit, a curious, fun-loving frog who likes hanging out with his amphibious best friends, Goggles and Croaker. Young Kermit loves the swamp, but wonders what lies beyond the tall marsh grass. When Goggles gets nabbed by a pet store owner, Kermit and Croaker must leap into action, leaving the swamp and racing to the rescue of their friend. With help from a world-wise dog named Pilgrim, Kermit and his friends discover that the outside world is bigger, stranger, more exciting and more wonderful than they ever imagined."
CAST
LIST:
Steve Whitmire -- Young Kermit, Jack Rabbit, Chico the Frog
Joey Mazzarino -- Goggles, Turtle #1
Bill Barretta -- Croaker, Horace D'Fly, Roy the Frog, Turtle #2
John Kennedy -- Blotch the Bullfrog, Arnie the Alligator, Monkey
Alice Dinnean -- Vicki the Snake, Pilgrim (w/ Cree Summer), Kermit's Mom (ditto)
with special cameo appearances
performed by Dave Goelz and Jerry Nelson
CREDITS:
Screenplay: Jim Lewis and Joey Mazzarino
from a story by Jim Lewis
Director: David Gumpel
Producer: Ritamarie Peruggi
Executive Producers: Michael R. Polis and Jim Lewis
DVD
AND VIDEO:
Buy it on DVD -- Buy it on VHS
Suggested DVD retail: $27.96
Suggested VHS retail: $19.95
DVD Format: Full Screen and Widescreen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.0 and 2-channel Dolby Surround
Extras include:
Audio commentary
with Kermit the Frog and Horace D'Fly
Behind-the-Scenes of Kermit's Swamp Years
hosted by Joe the Armadillo
"On the Set with Kermit" featurette
Bloopers / Outtakes
A rock version of "The Rainbow Connection" is performed by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes with the outtakes on the DVD edition.
PREMIERE ON STARZ:
A special preview of the Starz! Family Channel featuring the world premiere of the live-action comedy-adventure Kermit's Swamp Years will pre-empt regular programming on the flagship Starz! Channel on August 18, 2002 at 6:30pm ET/PT. The movie will air with a behind-the-scenes featurette.
MORE INFO:
From an article at DVDAngle.com: "Henson has many hopes pinned on the success of this 82-minute video premiere movie, with outlines for follow-ups already drawn up. Henson is also developing original video premiere movie franchise projects to be announced in August that would build on strong consumer sales of the company's fantasy films, including Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Henson might partner with Columbia or another distributor on those projects."
And, finally, a whole bunch of photos... Thanks to Luke Robbins and Scott Hanson for sending photos, and to the folks at Columbia-Tristar and the Starz Channel for sending me press releases.
For more on Kermit's Swamp Years:
News Extra: Kermit's Swamp Years trailer
Muppetfest: Kermit's Swamp Years panel
A Merry Muppet Christmas Movie