We Have a Picture of Walter AND MORE NEWS!

I don't think the dual eye mechanism has anything to do with what's wrong with current Gonzo's look. It's a combination of the nose being too big (which is what throws off the eye focus at certain angles - if you replaced it with a better shaped/sized nose, the eye focus would like fine) and a bit more puffiness in the fur on the sides of his face (on the one hand i'm glad Disney addressed that because i hated how generic Gonzo had been for the last several years before this latest rebuild but they just went just ever so slightly overboard. From some angles Gonzo looks great; other angles, awful. Guess he needs to start telling the cameramen to make sure they get his "good side"

As per Walter, from the original description that came out way back when, the first thing that came to my mind was Warren the Ape from Greg the Bunny. Looks like they went a little more humanoid but it's still open to interpretation enough to still do the "what are you?" jokes. Love the expression on his face as it seems to capture the character brief. I'm just anxious to see him in actual 3d action since the EW pic just seemed a bit to poser-ish for my tastes (straight on head shot being kind of flattened - can't really glean what shape he would take on in profile especially in regards to the mouth)

Since he's being "celebrity-voiced", whoever puppeteers him will have to do really well with the movements since the puppeteer won't be providing the voice and the simpler looking puppets can really be godsends in terms of movements/expressions (Kermit, Red, some of the small brown AMs that Kevin often does hysterically)

I disagree.The Muppet show characters are quite complex and original with details.They may look simple at first glance, but when you study them, you will appreciate the effort that went into their design.Such as giving Kermit his unique pupils and collar.
Another unique feature is to have Scooter's eyes and glasses in one.look at the designs of Statler and waldorf, Swedish Chef,etc, etc. There doesnt appear to be much planning for Angelo or walter,who looks like a whatnot that was created in 5 minutes.
Seems the designers are trying to copy a style of no eyes or no nose, but there is more to it.If you dont give a character a nose, then the head shape should be more like Scooter's,where you can get away with it, because his face comes to a point.Walter looks more like a Muppaphone.

I disagree, i think it's because they are being put up there as main players. Sure, we always used to have whatnots and background characters who were like this, but even going back to Clifford or early Pepe/Seymour, Clueless Morgan - the ones who Muppet fans embraced more were generally the ones who had a look that fitted in with the classic characters, not contrasted against it.

Obviously that may be the idea of Walter, so fair enough. I'd just like to see some more "Muppety" new Muppet characters, rather than ones who aren't so strong and just don't look as interesting. They are so basic, they could have been made at the Whatnot Workshop at FAO quite easily. It is the personality to an extent, but i think its a whole package thing.

I love Scooters Jacket in the picture, and i also love the way the rat characters are in this, and the Muppets cooking. It looks like they are going big on rats, and i hope big on penguins.

Well, they definitely got the plain muppet part right. Maybe that was their intent if they are going with the running gag.

When I see him I think of somebody spending 5 minutes on the FAO Schwarz Build-Your-Own Whatnot site. Doesn't seem to be a lot of thought in him.

Can I say I didn't expect Walter to look like he came straight out of Solid Foam? I don't find him bland or plain so much as I find him a very small little guy who just wants to make the big time, and a simplistic AM childlike look seems to work well for what they're going for. I actually like how he has no nose. He does look a bit Sesame Street like (he'd fit in well there) but I think that's what they're getting at. Sort of making him an every man/kid/youngster with a cute-ish, warm look to him.

One of the aims seems to be to market this as a Segal movie, for fans of Sarah/Greek and HIMYM as well as the hip Apatow going crowd. So they may go out of their way to shape the film in that direction.

I am taken aback how the core Muppets seem to be in the backseat this go around, which doesn't make sense. It's almost like they should have made THIS project a side movie. I mean, who says we can only have one Muppet movie every zillion years? I say make a romantic comedy with humans that has maybe a couple muppets, make a full on Kermit and gang muppet movie, side movies, etc.

And I have to agree...to me Angelo and Walter look exactly like those generic "professional hand rod puppets" sold on ebay for churches and other stuff.

But the idea of the core Muppets not being at the forefront worries me now

Not detailed so much, as the shape, contour, and style that made those classic guys great.
The Creature Shop meets Muppet look for the Muppet Television/JHH show may have been too much for people, as we sadly have not seen Digit, Leon, Lindburgh and company since.

And I'd have to strongly disagree. The original and later evolved Don Sahlin and Bonnie Erickson Muppets even in early forms bore a striking iconic look. Scooter I could see people seeing as plain, but even then he has a definite shape to him

But I agree 100% that it's all about the personality, as that's going to be key to this Walter character

I agree that for what they are going for, a zealous wannabe but likeable humanoid fan who aspires to meet and fit in with the core Muppet gang, it certainly works. Though, if this is going to be the "face" of the movie and have subsequent merchandise...he does seem a bit plain. This Walter kid seems earnest.

That spread is simply amazing, and hopefully we'll see more of these. It certainly recalls the great days of the Muppet magazine

But "Pepe sitting it out" makes no sense, given the prawn is part of the "main core 5" of the Muppets next to Piggy, Kermit, Gonzo and Fozzie(with Animal and Rizzo of course)

Sid the science kid was the first thing that came to mind, next to Avenue Q In Puppet Up/Stuffed and Unstrung I believe they are using a mix of original, and then pre and post Henson buyout including: Animal Jam, City Kids, Bear in the Big Blue House, and even a few from the 2005/2006 show Statler and Waldrof From The Balcony

I wonder how well the dub will be, as Im so used to associating a character's voice with the person performing him(save for points where Oz or Nelson couldnt be on set) I wonder if they'll teach Cera a little bit of onset puppety?

I've noticed that too... that Muppets Tonight took on a little bit of Sesame Workshop influence, and it worked wonders to me. Van Neuter, Sal, Pepe, Seymour, Nigel the Diretor, Big Mean Carl(Sooo glad they've brought him back in a big way), etc all had this colorful amazing look.

Piggy looks a tad bit off, but my goodness Gonzo looks like he's been replaced by a shrimpier doppleganger knockoff. The eyes are way off, his whole frame is off. Im usually not one to criticize puppet builds(even the "wild hairy animal") but my goodness. Why did they replace the muppets.com/letters to santa/youtube video Gonzo? That WAS Gonzo, this...I dont know what this "Gonzo" is.

That has always been the concern since I heard about the project's plot. I'm thinking we're going to get something better than the combination of MCC human and Muppet. They were'nt even close to the forefront there. I pray we never see that again. Of course, this IS a very star driven project... They did go to Disney for this film.

I will say I've been worried, but I do have some faith in them. Seems like their characters may just be partial focus, popping in on the characters during a bad time, when they core characters are flipping out about having to save the studio.

That has concerned me as well, but yes, I'm just trying to have faith.

Rowlf is in it! WHEE! He is so cute and cuddly.

You know, for all the talk of how he lacks detail and might fit better on SST, I just had an amusing thought in my "just woke up for work" stupor ... a Bert/Ernie-like gag where he tries to fit in by "accessorizing" his face. Heck, even bring back Vend-A-Face as well, LOL.

Granted, Walter's design does look a bit simple, but in the long-run I really don't think that its a big deal.

I understand why people are making a big deal out of it. If Walter is going to be one of the main--or even supporting--players in this new movie, he does need to stand out. Granted, in my opinion I think it's the personality of the character that will make or break him, but the design is indeed very important.

On that note... I actually like the design. No, he's not intricately gorgeous like Dr. Teeth or Gonzo, but there are some subtle nuances to Walter--eyebrows, eyelids, and an extremely earnest face. No, Walter isn't the most attractive puppet, but I think that's the point of him. I get an immediate Fozzie-esque vibe from this VERY simple picture of the puppet. I think what really impresses me about Walter at this point is how he exactly represents each and every one of us Muppet fans. Who among us would not have that exact same pose if we were in Walter's position? He's beyond thrilled to be in that room. I think seeing the actual puppet--and not the poser--in action will make a big difference. He's muuuuuch better looking than Angelo.

I don't think there needs to be any concern about this movie being another human in a starring role feature. If we have learned anything from the years we've been listening to Segel talk about the Muppets... it's that he's a huge fan of the original three movies--all of which were driven by Kermit. I don't think we have any reason to fear that this one won't do the same. Yes, maybe it will be driven by Gary and Walter in the beginning, but I firmly believe that once they find Kermit the movie will switch gears and become another Kermit the Frog shoots for the stars picture that we all love to see.

To be honest, lately I look at Gonzo, see his poor eye focus, mouth that doesn't seem to want to close right, and overall unwell expression, and wonder if he has recently suffered a stroke. As a Gonzo fan I really want to like the puppet they're looking, but... ouch. Get the poor guy to a doctor.

As for Princeton - er, Walter - I agree with those who say he looks kinda bland and blah. However, an important part of the puppet is how he is performed. I want to hear the little guy's voice and see him in action before I decide whether I like him or not.

By the way, recently the Muppets have dropped mentions of their having gone separate ways. The podcast with The Nerdist is the best example of this. It occurs to me that they could have been planting seeds for the theme of this movie, which, according to the recent EW spread, is about the Muppets reuniting to try to save the old theater from demolition.

That's what I'm hoping... for Gary and Walter to be the moving force behind the movie, but for the Muppets to be the front and center focus for the action. I'm wondering if Walter was based on concepts provided by the writing team. I get the design, I get why they're going the little shrimpy looking AM style. Where as Angelo was a puppet design based on a quick Photoshop removal of the Chef when they decided to go another direction. Why they didn't make another puppet and photoshop the entire thing in is beyond me... but that's another story. Besides, if they gave him blonde hair, he kinda looks like Michael Cera...

I still think new Gonzo looks wrong. Completely off somehow... and he looks stiffer to puppeteer. I hope this is just a production photo Gonzo, and we get a better one for the movie. or at least for future projects.

I agree.

Very well put.

Nice to know I'm not the only one who's willing to stand up and defend both Angelo and Walter and agree that they ARE Muppety, both in appearance and in personality.

And, indeed, it's not about the designs of the puppets. It's about the personalities and performances.

Speaking as someone who has seen this Gonzo puppet performed in person I can tell you that Dave doesn't seem to have any problem with him. In fact, he seemed more alive behind the weirdo than ever. Dave really seemed to be a fan of the new eye mechanism and also a nose mechanism that allowed his nose to squeeze in towards his mouth with the squeeze of a ball. I would assume that these are the reasons for the weird new design. I'm not a fan of this puppet version either... but it could look quite a bit worse.