Over the weekend, a significant number of Muppet enthusiasts encountered Matt Vogel, the latest voice behind Kermit the Frog for the first time. However, Disney received less-than-favorable feedback on this development.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently said goodbye to the beloved attraction, MuppetVision 3D. This was the last project overseen by Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, before his passing in 1990. The closure left fans feeling emotional as they considered it a treasure trove of Henson’s creative genius.
On the last day, Disney unveiled a clip with Kermit the Frog stating that The Muppets are slated to take over from Aerosmith in the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster around 2026, which seems to pour salt on an already painful situation.
For numerous fans, the announcement was dominated by the abrupt tone of Kermit, portrayed by Matt Vogel, whose rendition hasn’t been easily accepted by long-term admirers ever since he took over the role in 2017.
Hello everyone! The Muppets are preparing to relocate to Sunset Boulevard and embark on their first-ever roller coaster adventure! So, pick up your musical instrument – whether it’s a guitar or a banjo – as Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets is set to arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026!
— Walt Disney World (@WaltDisneyWorld) June 7, 2025
In the video, some viewers encountered Vogel’s version of Kermit for the first time, which represented a significant change compared to the affectionate, sincere Kermit originally voiced by Henson and later by Steve Whitmire.
Social media erupted with criticism, as fans on X expressed their disappointment.
Where is the real Kermit and what have you done with him you sick monsters?
— Fake Wizard (@RealLifeFakeWiz) June 7, 2025
User @RealLifeFakeWiz regrettably expressed, “Where is the authentic Kermit, and who has replaced him, you wicked beings?
Awful. You can’t convince me this isn’t done on purpose to repel people.
— Mike Matei (@Mike_Matei) June 9, 2025
@Mike_Matei said, “Awful. You can’t convince me this isn’t done on purpose to repel people.”
An AI Kermit would have sounded better then this awful thing
— Lazarus Long (@LibertyLudens) June 8, 2025
Some people proposed that Disney might have benefited from using artificial intelligence more, as @LibertyLudens commented, “An AI-generated Kermit would have sounded more appealing than this less-than-stellar version.
Ouch that’s a rough Kermit voice…is the real one ok?
— Disney Magic Mike (@dsnymike) June 7, 2025
@dsnymike summed it up simply with, “Ouch that’s a rough Kermit voice…is the real one ok?”
Oh dear – I really hope the subpar voice chosen for Kermit by Disney isn’t a sign of things to come with future updates…Despite my feelings of sadness and disappointment, I cling to a small glimmer of hope, just 5%.
— Degrees Toward Truth (@dgrs_twrd_truth) June 8, 2025
As a movie enthusiast, I was intrigued by @dgrs_twrd_truth’s observation linking Vogel’s performance to Disney’s recent Muppet productions. Frankly, I can’t help but harbor a tinge of apprehension over the questionable vocal talent they’ve cast for Kermit. Yet, despite my disappointment, there remains a flicker of hope within me that things might turn around.
I still can’t get over what a terrible job they did replacing the voice of Kermit.
Not even close. Ruins it.
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) June 7, 2025
MattWi77iams expressed his disappointment by saying, “I’m still shocked at how poorly they replicated Kermit’s voice. It’s nowhere near the original; it completely ruins it for me.
Back in 1990, when Jim Henson left us, he chose me, Steve Whitmire, the guy behind characters like Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, and Wembley Fraggle, to step into the iconic role of Kermit the Frog. Over the next 27 years, it was an incredible journey for me to breathe life into this beloved character.
During his tenure, Whitmire was known for memorable appearances in movies such as “A Muppet Christmas Carol”, “Muppet Treasure Island”, “The Muppets”, “Muppets From Space”, “Muppets Most Wanted” and the brief-running TV show “Muppets Tonight”.
Initially, Kermit embodied the emotional depth and genuine sincerity that fans connected with from Henson’s original. However, in October 2016, Disney unexpectedly terminated Whitmire, news of which was released publicly in July 2017. The Muppets Studio pointed out long-term unprofessional behavior on Whitmire’s part and accused him of ignoring feedback repeatedly.
The decision was made in consultation with the Henson family, who supported the move.
Whitmire, devastated by the dismissal, took to his personal blog to share his side.
Since October 2016, when I got a call from the executives at The Muppets Studio about recasting, I’ve felt every conceivable emotion. Afterwards, I proposed various solutions through a new intermediary, addressing two concerns they had raised, which were never brought up with me before that phone call.
He argued that the dismissal was due to two reasons: first, his vocal stance on ethical conduct during the 2015 ABC show “The Muppets”, and second, a labor dispute linked to a project that happened 15 months earlier. Whithmire firmly stated he would never leave Kermit, instead viewing his position as safeguarding Henson’s legacy.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in July 2017, Brian Henson, who is both the chairman of the Jim Henson Company and the son of its founder, Jim Henson, supported Disney’s decision.
Steve stated, “Right now, I’m Kermit, and if you want the Muppets, you need to keep me content since the Muppets essentially are Kermit. That’s certainly not acceptable,” he asserted.
Henson characterized Whitmire’s actions as “making extravagant requests” and frequently engaging in a game of high-stakes tactics, concerns he traced back to the mid-1990s.
He admitted feeling remorseful for not replacing Kermit when he sold the Muppets to Disney in 2004, stating, “I can’t help but feel guilty. I should have handed over a new Kermit at that time because I knew it would cause issues.
Henson additionally proposed that Whitmire’s portrayal of Kermit deviated from its original concept, appearing “too conventional and lacking the necessary vibrancy.
According to reports, Whitmire apparently objected to Disney’s decisions regarding the 2015 Muppets series. One instance he reportedly disagreed with was a storyline in which Kermit deceived his nephew Robin, as he believed it went against Kermit’s typical character traits.
People observed that, like Frank Oz, a longtime collaborator of Jim Henson, Whitmire showed great care for the Muppets. Both of them had disagreements with Disney’s creative approach and ultimately chose to distance themselves from Muppet-related projects.
Matt Vogel, taking over from Whitmire, has been subject to persistent examination. His initial appearance as Kermit emerged in a 2017 “Muppet Thought of the Week” video, and spectators swiftly observed a more subdued, less expressive delivery compared to Henson and Whitmire.
Vogel’s portrayal as Big Bird on Sesame Street, replacing the late Caroll Spinney, has received similar negative feedback due to a perceived lack of the original’s warmth. For numerous viewers, Vogel’s Kermit represents a broader issue with Disney’s management of the Muppets – a transition towards what some refer to as “inexpensive copies” that fail to preserve Henson’s enchantment.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and, perhaps, a touch of melancholy about the upcoming retheme of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, scheduled for 2026. For those of us who cherished MuppetVision 3D, this announcement seems more like an empty promise than a genuine step forward. Instead of preserving Jim Henson’s heartfelt creation, we are offered a high-octane thrill ride that struggles to resonate with fans, as it stars a Kermit they find hard to accept in this new context.
It’s unclear if Disney will be able to capture the essence of the Muppets with their latest project, but it’s clear that fans are expressing a strong sense of apprehension.
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2025-06-10 16:00