Which Disney-Related Guest Star on The Muppet Show Should You Watch First?

By Courtney Potter

It’s true: We’re in a terrifically celebrational, Muppetational mood now that The Muppet Show is streaming on Disney+! Just imagine… the hilarious antics of Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, and all their pals are now available to us at any time. Truly, it’s a gift that’ll keep on giving.

But all those amazing Jim Henson creations are just the tip of the Muppet Show iceberg; the series was known for featuring countless incredible guest stars from the worlds of television, film, and music. And many of them have connections to Disney!

While we do recommend starting with the series from the very first episode, there’s another fun way to watch—by enjoying some of these Disney-linked guest stars… so we took a spin through The Muppet Show and hand-picked a few of our favorites. Which Disney-related guest should you watch first? Take this quiz to find out!

Lesley Anne Warren

1. What’s on your current music playlist?
A) Lots of country and western.
B) Every Sherman Brothers song you can think of!
C) Pop music of the 1970s! I can’t get enough.
D) High-energy rock ‘n’ roll… it gets me through my workouts.
E) All Broadway showtunes, all the time.

Don Knotts

2. Your go-to outfit for a night on the town?
A) A cowboy hat and some dungarees would suit me fine.
B) A fun and flirty pink dress, with a gigantic bow at the waist.
C) Since I live near the ocean, a warm coat is a necessity.
D) A smart three-piece suit and a fedora, obviously.
E) One of the many bejeweled ballgowns in my close.

Bernadette Peters

3. Ideal pet?
A) A horse.
B) An adorable kitty cat, perhaps?
C) An invisible dragon.
D) Whatever my child wants… I live to make them happy!
E) A rat could work—provided it can turn into a footman.

Sylvester Stallone

4. What’s your dream home?
A) A cozy cabin.
B) A large Philadelphia estate.
C) A lighthouse.
D) A mansion in New York City.
E) A reasonably comfortable home is fine, provided its kept absolutely spotless by my stepdaughter!

Helen Reddy

5. You’ve been caught red-handed… who helps get you out of a jam?
A) My dimwitted but lovable best friend.
B) My car-obsessed fiancé.
C) My adopted son and my wacky yet delightful father.
D) Some well-meaning henchmen.
E) Sadly, no one… not even a fairy godmother.

RESULTS

Mostly As
Don Knotts
Looking for some madcap fun? This guest star is for you! Perhaps best known within the worlds of Disney for The Apple Dumpling Gang, Don Knotts is wackiness personified—which makes him the perfect complement to the zany antics of the Muppets!

Mostly Bs
Lesley Anne Warren
Check out this particular Muppet Show episode for a stylishly good time. Early in her career, triple-threat Lesley Anne Warren was known for a string of Disney films, including The Happiest Millionaire—and she brought the same charm and fun to her turn alongside Kermit, et al.

Mostly Cs
Helen Reddy
Memorable music, warmth, humor… if that’s what you need, take a gander at Helen Reddy’s turn on The Muppet Show. Primarily known as a singer, Reddy famously costarred in Pete’s Dragon; we’d venture to guess her time acting alongside mischief-making Elliott prepared her for performing with the Muppets!

Mostly Ds
Sylvester Stallone
If the idea of keeping fit (and not taking yourself too seriously) appeals, why not start with Sylvester Stallone’s episode of The Muppet Show? Most recently, Stallone popped up in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, but he also starred in Disney’s (via Touchstone Pictures) comical mob caper Oscar.

Mostly Es
Bernadette Peters
If Broadway is your bag, do make sure to check out Bernadette Peters’ turn on The Muppet Show—featuring musical numbers galore. Besides voicing Angelique in Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, Peters can also be seen as the Stepmother in another new Disney+ entrant: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, starring Brandy and Whitney Houston.

UPDATE: Bowers Museum Announces Disney Exhibit Extended to April 25

By Beth Deitchman

Updated February 17, 2021: The Walt Disney Archives’ exhibition Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic has been extended through April 25, 2021 at the Bowers Museum! While the Bowers Museum is currently closed in accordance to state officials’ recent COVID-19 update, the Bowers Museum is hopeful it will be able to reopen soon and welcome visitors to experience the wonder of its featured and permanent exhibitions from around the globe.

The April extension of Inside the Walt Disney Archives marks the third and final extension for this magical exhibition. With robust health and safety precautions in place, guests will be invited to step into the Walt Disney Archives as they walk through a dazzling display of 465 objects, including 50 pieces of original artwork, 15 original screen-worn costumes, three cars, and other props that tell the story of The Walt Disney Company. Click here for more information.

The Walt Disney Archives Kicks Off a Yearlong 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Walt Disney Archives marks a major milestone next year and has just revealed plans for a yearlong 50th-anniversary celebration. The festivities kick off at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, where Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic opens to the public on March 7, 2020.

The traveling exhibit offers a rare look at some of the treasures from the archives, such as never-before-displayed production art from Fantasia, Walt Disney’s office set from Saving Mr. Banks, the original pitch portfolio used to secure investors for Disneyland, maquettes from animated films such as Peter Pan and Frozen, and much more. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit features more than 400 objects, including original artwork, costumes, and props that tell the story of the Archives, The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney himself. Guests will feel as if they’ve stepped into the Walt Disney Archives as they take in the dazzling display.

Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club were invited to enjoy an exclusive look at the exhibit before it opened to the general public during a special preview night where they chatted with Disney archivists while exploring the exhibit, which runs through August 30, 2020, before heading to other locations around the country. D23 Gold Members receive a discount on tickets to the exhibit, as well as a discount on merchandise in the museum store. Bowers Museum is one of Southern California’s finest museums, showcasing exquisite examples of art and culture from around the world since 1936.

The Walt Disney Archives was founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, and since then has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, and is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers.

Disney+ Announces New Unscripted Series Choir—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

New Series Choir Coming Soon to Disney+

The inside story of the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC)—known for their moving, motivational turn on America’s Got Talent (AGT)—is coming to Disney+. Produced by Blumhouse Television in their first original series for the streaming service, Choir is inspired by DYC Artistic Director Anthony White’s story; as a teacher, mentor, and father figure in the heart of Detroit, White has impacted and empowered more than 1,000 kids through music for more than two decades. His efforts with DYC captivated the country in an incredible rise to the finale during the sensational 14th season of AGT.

But that’s not all: A companion scripted series by the same production team is also in development for Disney+, via Disney Branded Television. Award-winning writer/producer Anthony Sparks (Queen Sugar, The Blacklist) is attached to develop and create the scripted drama series and will serve as its showrunner and executive producer.

Look for more info on both series coming soon…

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

It’s time to play the music and light the lights for a weekend chockablock with good viewing fun from around the worlds of Disney. If you read D23.com with any regularity, you know we are positively tickled that the original The Muppet Show will begin streaming on Disney+ today (Friday, February 19)! The streaming service is also debuting Flora & Ulysses; there’s a new episode of BUNK’D on Disney Channel; and so much more.

Us Again

Us Again: Brand-New Animated Short from Walt Disney Animation Studios

There’s a new theatrical animated short—their first in five years—just over the horizon from our friends at Walt Disney Animation Studios! Us Again, a vivid short from director Zach Parrish that incorporates dance, music, emotional storytelling, and inspired animation, will debut exclusively in theaters worldwide beginning on March 5—playing alongside Disney Animation’s new animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon. (Us Again is scheduled to make its streaming debut on Disney+ this June.)

Disney Animation’s first new theatrical short since 2016’s Inner Workings, which accompanied Moana on the big screen, Us Again is set in a vibrant city pulsing with rhythm and movement. During one magical night, an elderly man and his young-at-heart wife rekindle their youthful passion for life and each other; the years fade away as the joy of dancing propels them across the exciting cityscape of their adolescence and revives cherished memories and past ambitions… Told without dialogue, Us Again is set to an original funk and soul musical score reminiscent of the mid-’60s.

Director Parrish—an 11-year veteran of Disney Animation who served as head of animation on Big Hero 6 and as director of the Short Circuit film Puddles—worked alongside award-winning choreographers/dancers Keone and Mari and acclaimed composer Pinar Toprak to bring Us Again to life. The short is produced by Brad Simonsen, and executive produced by Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

We can’t wait to see it!

See Emma Stone as Cruella in a Brand-New Trailer

Just this week, Disney released an exciting trailer for its all-new live-action feature film Cruella, starring Oscar® winners Emma Stone and Emma Thompson and directed by Craig Gillespie. Take a gander at all the fabulously fashionable drama, above.

Cruella follows the rebellious early days of one of film’s most notorious villains: the legendary Cruella de Vil! Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, Cruella introduces a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative woman determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they’re able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman (Thompson), a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous and revenge-bent Cruella.

Cruella is slated to catwalk its way into our lives on Friday, May 28—and stay tuned for more diva-rific dish about the film as it becomes available…

Assembled

Go Behind the Scenes with Assembled on Disney+

Looking to get all manner of cool behind-the-camera scoop about your favorite TV series and films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? You’re in luck! Just this week, Disney+ announced a new, comprehensive documentary series of specials about the MCU coming to the streaming service next month.

Assembled will give you a peek inside the films and series of the MCU—following the cast and crew, the filmmakers, and Marvel heroes every step of the way. Viewers will get to explore productions including WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki via exclusive on-set footage; plus, stars such as Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner will detail the genesis of the Black Widow film and the Hawkeye series.

Arriving exclusively on Disney+ shortly after theatrical releases and series completions, Assembled will offer an immersive, in-depth examination of the next phase of the MCU. The first episode focuses on the critically acclaimed series WandaVision. Join stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, plus WandaVision’s creative team, as they pull back the curtain—showing how the production’s concept took shape; how the crew went to great lengths to emulate various filmmaking methods used during the early years of TV; and the unique challenges (and, ultimately, rewards) of performing an entire episode in front of a live studio audience.

Assembled kicks off with said (sure-to-be-exceedingly-cool) WandaVision episode on Friday, March 12.

ICYMI: DuckTales to Conclude on March 15

They’re certainly solved their fair share of mysteries, and they’ve definitely re-written history… but now it’s time for them to bring their adventures to an end. Read up on what you can expect from DuckTales’ series finale special (airing on Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD and ungated in DisneyNOW) right here at D23.com.

ABC and Walt Disney Imagineering Team Up for Imagine at Home

If you’ve got a hankerin’ for some extra inspiration in your life, may we present Imagine at Home—a brand-new interactive series from ABC Owned Television Stations in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering that just debuted this past week. Each episode will feature Disney Imagineers teaching how to create drawings and art projects inspired by beloved Disney attractions. This magical new series can be found on the ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 connected TV apps across Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

During Imagine at Home, Imagineers will share their skills and passion through step-by-step guidance for Disney fans who want to learn how to draw or make something using materials readily available at home. From building an R2 droid out of a soap bottle to creating it’s a small world cardboard toy to drawing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Imagine from Home invites viewers to get creative and be inspired!

Besides those connected TV apps mentioned above, you can also check out each episode on imaginefromhome.com—where you’ll find handy supply lists and can meet each of the Imagineers featured.

Have fun! We know we will…

Pride Month Spotlight: Legendary Handprints – Robin Roberts

In 1990, Robin Roberts joined ESPN—the first female African American sports journalist for the network—and within five years was also a regular contributor to Good Morning America (GMA). In her 15 years at ESPN, she contributed to NFL PrimeTime, and hosted SportsCenter and In the Game with Robin Roberts.

In 2005, Robin joined GMA full time as co-anchor. Since she joined the program, the show has won five Emmys® for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People’s Choice Award® for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team. For ABC, Robin has also hosted In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, as well as ABC’s red carpet coverage of the Academy Awards®. Most recently, she served as executive producer for Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story (2020) and the History Channel documentary, Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage (2020).

Through Disney’s Hyperion publishing division, Robin released her first book, From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By in 2007, a compilation of rules and insights to overcome tough obstacles and become successful. A year later she produced an updated edition which included her breast cancer journey, From the Heart: Eight Rules to Live By.

Among Robin’s many awards are the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism; the National Association of Broadcasters’ Distinguished Service Award; membership in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame; the Women’s Institute of Sport and Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame; and the Radio Television Digital News Lifetime Achievement Award. She was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2019.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Dazzling Details on Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

By The D23 Team

Today just got very magical—Good Morning America just announced the start of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” beginning October 1, 2021 in honor of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary. The 18-month celebratory event will feature new experiences at the resort’s four theme parks and beyond, where shimmering EARidescent décor will appear as if by magic.

Animal Kingdom

Tower of Terror

Epcot

Cinderella's Castle

Shining at the center of it all will be Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, which will add to its royal makeover from 2020 with new gold bunting, sparkling golden embellishments, and other new enhancements, including a 50th anniversary crest warmly welcoming guests to the join the festivities. As hosts of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals will be dressed in sparkling new looks, custom-made for this special occasion.

Stay tuned for more announcements about this magical celebration of Walt Disney World. If you want to start the celebration early, check out the 2021 Gold Member Collector Set, exclusively available to D23 Gold Members.

Where to Find Your Favorite Muppet Characters in Two Fun Disney Games!

By the D23 Team

Everyone could benefit from more Muppets in their lives, which is why we’ve got the details on how you can find the Muppets in two fun Disney games. Whether you’re already a fan of these two games or looking for something new to play, read on to get the inside scoop on where to find your favorite weirdos.

Muppet Games

Disney Emoji Blitz
Holy guacamole! In the action-packed match-3 game, Disney Emoji Blitz, players can collect and play with hundreds of Disney, Pixar and Star Wars Emojis, including an entire collection of Muppets. Adorable Emoji versions of Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, The Swedish Chef, Miss Piggy and Gonzo are all available to collect in-game, and can even be used in text messages as stickers. Each Emoji has eight variations of facial expressions (they’ve got ALL the feels), as well as their own special power-up animations for you to experience while playing. For example, if you go into Blitz Mode with Fozzie Bear, he shouts “Waka Waka” and tomatoes start launching at all the Fozzie Emojis on your gameboard! Get in on the fun by downloading Disney Emoji Blitz on your mobile device or tablet today.

The Muppets

Disney Heroes: Battle Mode
Hi Ho! Keep the Muppets celebration rolling in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode! Kermit and the Swedish Chef are ready to join your team for a weekend of events celebrating The Muppet Show. And they’re not the only ones—collect Gonzo, the Fantastic Miss Piggy, Animal, and more. All weekend in Disney Heroes: Battle Mode, your Muppet heroes will be super powered-up (hi-YA!) to take on all challengers with amazing skills all their own. With Swedish Chef on your team, his flambé torch makes popcorn rain on opponents from the sky. Let Animal loose on the opposing teams to rock them with dynamic drumbeats.

THIS JUST IN: Collect Bunsen and Beaker for FREE on February 19—open the game, collect, and make your Muppets team even more fantastic!

Download and play Disney Heroes: Battle Mode on the App Store or Google Play today!

Safety Director Reginald Hudlin on the Film’s Inspiring and Powerful Message

By the D23 Team

“As a kid, I was obsessed with movies. Throughout my career, my goal has been to give joy to others the way films have brought joy and inspiration to me,” says director Reginald Hudlin. His most recent film, Safety, began streaming exclusively in December on Disney+, where the moving, uplifting drama is part of the “Celebrate Black Stories” collection. It’s inspired by the empowering story of former Clemson University football safety Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves), a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances, whose dedication and persistence help him to triumph over repeated adversities. Aided by his teammates and the Clemson community, he succeeds on the field while simultaneously raising and caring for his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus J. Mixson).

The theme of Black History Month 2021 is the Black family, and Safety tells the story of many strong families: Ray Ray and his brother, the football team, and the Clemson school community. “As strong as we all try to be, we can’t do it alone. If your family has your back, that’s great. But if not, you can make families,” Hudlin says. “I know a lot of people who built networks of friends, and they’re able to support one another.” The director points out that Ray Ray was skeptical of this message until he saw how much the people around him really wanted to help. “I think if we could find our families—whether by line of blood, or just people around us who truly care—that’s the best way forward,” he says.

Safety

It was Hudlin’s own brother who most inspired the director at the start of his filmmaking career. “[He] started making films back when the Black independent film scene was just beginning, before even Spike Lee’s time,” Hudlin says. “Being from the Midwest, what I learned was that you could in fact make movies outside Hollywood, which at the time seemed impossible, but I was determined to do it.” The director’s first feature film, House Party, was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to be a huge commercial success as well. Hudlin has amassed an impressive list of credits throughout his prolific career, which includes producing the animated feature Bébé’s Kids; a stint as President of Entertainment at BET; and directing the film Marshall, which starred the late Chadwick Boseman (Marvel Studios’ Black Panther) as Thurgood Marshall.

Safety
Ray Ray and Fahmarr McElrathbey

From his first reading of the script, Hudlin knew that Safety was a movie that he wanted to make. “One of the things that drove me was how dedicated Ray Ray was to his little brother, to the point where he became his father,” Hudlin shares. “There’s a terrible stereotype out there that Black men are not engaged fathers, and it’s simply not true. Black men are equally, if not more, engaged with their children, and this movie was the true story of a Black man who raised his little brother. It symbolizes Black men in general, and I thought that was a powerful message to bring to life.”

Safety has many strong messages, and Hudlin is particularly proud of a scene in which Ray Ray is forced to confront the bitterness his little brother has from being abandoned, and he implores Fahmarr to understand that the situation they’re in is going to take everything they both have. “I heard from so many parents who mentioned how powerful this scene was. It showed that everyone has to come together to make something work, a sacrifice many parents can relate to. In that scene, Ray Ray tells the hard truth to his brother, he has a choice to make, and from that point on, they make things work,” Hudlin explains. “Safety is truly a movie that celebrates the everyday heroes that may not get the recognition they deserve—whether it’s a father, a mother, or caring friend, thank you all.”

Safety
Ray Ray McElrathbey and Reginald Hudlin on the set of Safety

Every one of us can play a part in fighting social injustice, says Hudlin, who believes all United States citizens have a responsibility to make our country live up to its potential. “I do it as a storyteller, a voter, and a person who gets involved in politics. What we can’t do is let people exploit hatred,” he states.

“In just my lifetime, I have seen impossible things come true. So I know things will change,” Hudlin says. “Don’t be afraid to stand up for your convictions, even against impossible odds, and you can make a difference.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

By Zach Johnson

Find your favorite snack and get ready for a full weekend of family fun! It all starts Friday when Disney Channel airs a new episode of the hit series BUNK’D. That same day, Disney+ will tell the tail of an unlikely hero in the original movie Flora & Ulysses. The streaming service will also add all five seasons of The Muppet Show on Friday, including two that were never before released on home entertainment. Then, on Saturday, join us in streaming the 2004 film Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen on Disney+ to mark its anniversary. Last but not least, a new season of Wicked Tuna will premiere Sunday on National Geographic.

Bunkd

BUNK’D—Friday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
In the all-new episode “Look Who’s Squawking,” Camp Kikiwaka counselor Ava (Shelby Simmons) insists that she wants to take on more responsibility this summer. So, Lou (Miranda May) assigns her the task of resurrecting the “Camper of the Week” program.

Flora & Ulysses

Flora & Ulysses—Friday, February 19, on Disney+
Directed by Lena Khan, this delightful comedy-adventure film is based on Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Award-winning book. It centers on 10-year-old Flora (Matilda Lawler), an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic whose parents (Alyson Hannigan and Ben Schwartz) recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel and naming him Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he has unique superhero powers. Together, they embark on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora’s life—and her outlook—forever.

The Muppet Show

The Muppet Show (Seasons 1-5)—Friday, February 19, on Disney+
At last, Disney Legend Jim Henson’s iconic variety series will be available to stream anytime, anywhere—only on Disney+! In addition to the first three seasons, fans will be able to enjoy the fourth and fifth seasons, which have never previously been released on home entertainment. The Muppet Show stars Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef and more in a groundbreaking twist on the classic variety show. After its debut in 1976, some of Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars stopped by The Muppet Show for comedy and chaos, including Gene Kelly, Diana Ross, and more.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen—Saturday, February 20, on Disney+
Armed with an attitude that she knows how to use, she’s gonna get there any way she can! Celebrate Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen’s 17th anniversary by streaming the comedy starring Lindsay Lohan as the dramatic Lola Steppe, whose family moves from the bustling and vibrant New York City to the mellow suburbs of New Jersey. Determined to make the best of her new situation, Lola embarks on a mission to become the most popular girl at her high school, which pits her against the catty Carla Santini (Megan Fox) and takes her on a wild, rock ‘n’ roll adventure throughout the Big Apple with her new friend Ella Gerard (Alison Pill). No matter who or what gets in the way, Lola won’t give up on her dream: to be a star!

Wicked Tuna

Wicked Tuna—Sunday, February 21, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic
Tune in for the season premiere, “Keep the Tradition Alive.” Gloucester, Mass., is the oldest fishing port in the United States, and for the last decade, a fleet of Gloucester blue fin tuna fishermen have overcome obstacles and survived danger to embrace glory. But this season is their toughest yet. With a world in flux, these fishermen fight the only way they know how: with grit, resilience, and willpower. It’s do or die—for the blue fin and the fleet.

Ben Schwartz on the Fun and Frolic of Flora & Ulysses

By Courtney Potter

Directed by Lena Khan (The Tiger Hunter), Disney’s Flora & Ulysses follows Flora Buckman (Matilda Lawler), a 10-year-old self-avowed cynic—and comic book fan—whose parents, Phyllis (Alyson Hannigan) and George (Ben Schwartz), have recently separated. With life a bit topsy-turvy, and summer vacation in full swing, Flora winds up rescuing a neighborhood squirrel; naming it Ulysses, she ultimately discovers it has some super special gifts—ones that will take the whole family on a hilarious, heartfelt journey they never expected.

With this adventure-filled adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Award-winning children’s book coming to Disney+ this week, D23 spoke with Schwartz—known recently for his turn as Dewey on Disney’s DuckTales—about what made his Flora & Ulysses experience so fabulously fun… as well as his love of all things Disney!

Flora & Ulysses

“It’s a dream,” admits Schwartz, when asked what it’s like to segue from voicing an animated Disney character to starring in a live-action Disney adventure. “Growing up, whenever I watched a Disney movie—whether it was the blue illustrated emblem [of the iconic castle] at the beginning of the film, or when they started animating the castle—it just immediately made for an emotional response. So when I got to see Flora & Ulysses and that happens at the beginning, I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, I am in a Disney movie!’ I’ve been watching these my entire life, whether it was Aladdin or The Lion King, or live-action ones like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, or Robin Williams in Flubber… The idea that there’s a family with kids, or even an adult, that is really connecting to these type of films makes me so happy—especially now.”

Known for plentiful TV and film roles, including his turn on Parks and Recreation, Schwartz was excited to find himself acting opposite a—shall we say—unique kind of character. “The way that it worked was great,” he explains. “They gave Matilda [who plays Flora] a fake little gray squirrel. We’d do a take or two with that, and then they’d remove it and she’d have to remember how she put her hand and where it went. It’s so funny—Lena [Khan, the film’s director] would be like, ‘Now [Ulysses] is up there!’; ‘Now he’s over here!’; ‘Now he’s moving down!’ We’d have to do all these things—it was very interesting.” He laughs, adding, “I always had Matilda next to me when I was doing it, so if it was a real crazy thing happening, I could look over at her—I’d have a human right there to react with, which was a joy.”

Flora & Ulysses

But working with a CGI co-star wasn’t the only thing that made the Flora & Ulysses shoot so singular. “There’s a great comedic [scene] where the squirrel pops in through the window, hits a chandelier, the chandelier hits a table, mashed potatoes go everywhere—and then the table collapses, and everything falls on me,” Schwartz explains, chuckling. “And I was like, ‘Oh, this is classic Disney fun!’ So being excited for that—and then seeing how excited Matilda was; she kept saying, ‘Here we go, here we go!!’ I mean, it was so fun.” And without spoiling too much, look for a few scenes where Schwartz had to get over a fear of heights fairly quickly. “That was the scariest part,” he admits.

Indelible scenes like those described above—featured in countless Disney films and TV series over the past nine-plus decades—are a huge reason why Schwartz, a lifelong Disney fan, is so thrilled to be a part of Flora & Ulysses. And it’s the memories those kinds of moments create that have stuck with him for so long. For instance: “When I [first] watched Disney and Pixar’s Up, I could not believe it,” says Schwartz. “I remember I went to a screening of Up with a friend. We were in the third row, and we had our 3-D glasses on—and we are two grown men. We’re watching this thing and the first eight minutes go by, with Michael Giacchino’s score, and this incredible story about this couple. And I look to the right and I just see [my friend] with his 3-D glasses on—it was almost like a cartoon, where fish are swimming inside the ‘bowl’ of someone’s eyeglasses. Tears are streaming down, and he looks at me, and sees that I’m crying like crazy. It was such a funny and cool moment.”

Schwartz is also, as you might now imagine, a huge fan of Disneyland—and he loves sharing in that fandom with others. “There were a bunch of journalists who came to the Flora & Ulysses set one day,” he explains, “and they were all people who love Disney. It’s so fun when people are like, ‘What’s your favorite attraction?’ I thought, I don’t usually get to talk about this with anybody, and I cannot wait to tell you the order in which I eat my snacks at Disneyland—because there is an order to these things. So it’s lovely to now be a part of this world, because it’s a very caring and ‘building-up’-type world… I was over the moon when I got [cast as] Dewey in DuckTales—and now to be in a Disney movie [where] I get to establish a character for the first time? I’m just honored, and want to keep ‘playing in the pool’ of all that’s there.”

Flora & Ulysses

All told, Schwartz thinks this particular film is nigh on ideal for this particular moment in time. “I think Flora & Ulysses [offers] all the things that Disney movies do well—where there’s so much heart, there’s so much comedy, and it brings that comedy and that heart in a great ‘storytelling’ way… and there’s realness in it. There’s real feelings and emotions. I think that’s what makes it stand out—and what makes it a little bit more relevant now… My friends who have kids, they’re like, ‘We need something fun; we need something loving.’ And I think with this great script by Brad Copeland, it’s all there for you. There are these big, beautiful [adventure] aspects. There’s this really warm heart between Matilda, me, and Alyson [Hannigan as Phyllis]. There’s Anna Deavere Smith as Dr. Meescham. There’s great comedy with Benjamin [Evan Ainsworth, who plays next-door neighbor William] and me and Matilda; and with Danny Pudi [who portrays nefarious animal control officer Miller] and Kate Micucci [playing local waitress Rita]—who were so good in this. It really kind of gives you a little bit of everything.”

“It’s funny and kids laugh and there’s a squirrel that’s a super hero,” Schwartz concludes. “What else could you possibly want?”

Don’t miss Flora & Ulysses, premiering on Disney+ this Friday, February 19!

Set Sails for Muppet Treasure Island Artwork

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives

Muppet Treasure Island was zanily inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island novel, and, in turn, the film inspired a Little Golden Book release as well. Now, isn’t that a story worth the hearing?

As a part of the Walt Disney Archives’ collection, we have the original storybook artwork illustrated by Tom Brannon, and we thought it’d be fun to share a few examples along with their filmic inspirations. In the left column, you will see familiar stills from the movie, and on the right are the faithful recreations in the Little Golden Book style.

It is interesting to see how closely the drawings are translated from the screen to the page or, conversely, where the artist took liberties in order to tell the story. In the illustration of Jim Hawkins with Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat in the barrel, the storybook art captures the moment exactly down to Jim’s frightened face, whereas other illustrations are more loosely based on the scene of that moment. Take a look through the art below and be sure to watch Muppet Treasure Island now streaming on Disney+ to see how they compare!