FILM · 1996 · USA
Muppet Treasure Island
24 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
24 Interesting Facts About Muppet Treasure Island
Interesting Facts (14)
- #001
Tim Curry had been a big Muppets fan for years before making this film. In many interviews he stated that Captain Long John Silver was one of his favorite roles.
- #002
After filming was completed, Tim Curry was given a Muppet that resembled Long John Silver.
- #003
Billy Connolly was very proud of being the first person to die in a Muppet film.
- #004
Tim Curry tried a peg leg, but the discomfort forced him to use crutches.
- #005
While filming the scene in the eye socket with Tim Curry, Kevin Bishop recalled saying: "To be honest, Tim, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), those fishnets, you're never going to live those down, are you?" Curry responded, "Not as long as dickheads like you keep bringing it up. You really are a magnificent masturbator, Kevin." They used the word "magnificent" as a joke between them.
- #006
Producer and director Brian Henson said that Frank Oz was not actually a fan of Fozzie Bear's "Mr. Bimble" (the man Fozzie says lives on his finger). By the end of filming, however, Oz had decided it was one of his favorite jokes.
- #007
Tim Curry modeled Long John Silver's voice on his sailor grandfather's voice.
- #008
Jim Hawkins was initially split into two characters, Jim and Hawkins, played by The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat. This was changed in order to preserve the story about a young boy's experiences.
- #009
This marks Sam Eagle's first major role in a Muppet film.
- #010
The monkey in the opening sequence was Sal Minella from Muppets Tonight (1996).
- #011
This is the last Muppet film with a poster drawn by Drew Struzan.
- #012
Walt Disney Pictures had the option to greenlight another Muppet film after this one, but shortly before the film's release the Jim Henson Company announced a co-production deal with Sony Pictures. Disney did not make another Muppet feature film until The Muppets (2011). By then they owned all the rights to the Muppet characters.
- #013
Kermit has an obscene Miss Piggy tattoo on his chest.
- #014
In a post written in memory of Tim Curry, who died in 2026, Kevin Bishop said that the summer was hot while they were shooting the scene in which Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver bid each other a bitter farewell at the end of the film, but that the room at Shepperton Studios used to shoot the scene was probably made freezing cold to make the tearful emotions between the two characters look more real.
Production Story (2)
- #015
After the success of The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Jim Henson Productions decided to put Kermit and friends in another period film. According to screenwriter Kirk R. Thatcher, it was a toss-up between an adaptation of Treasure Island and an adaptation of King Arthur.
- #016
While Gonzo and Rizzo are searching for the treasure map in Billy Bones's chest, they find a copy of "Diplomacy," written by Henry Kissinger. Alex Rockwell, who oversaw the film's project development process, is his daughter-in-law.
Behind the Scenes (1)
- #017
Kevin Bishop went through puberty during filming, so they had to exaggerate his singing performances with older recordings of the songs.
Characters & Cast (6)
- #018
Producer and director Brian Henson was worried that the entire cast and crew would get motion sickness from the movement while the ship rolled on its gimbals. On the first day of filming he gave everyone seasickness pills. The cast and crew did not get seasick, but they nearly fell asleep on the job.
- #019
This was Kevin Bishop's first feature film. He was also the first actor to audition for Jim Hawkins.
- #020
This is Tim Curry's second role playing a pirate captain. He voiced Captain Hook in the series Peter Pan and the Pirates (1990).
- #021
About 100 actors auditioned for the role of Jim Hawkins. Kevin Bishop took part in the first auditions.
- #022
Bob Hoskins was considered for the role of Billy Bones.
- #023
Second unit director David Lane substituted for director Brian Henson many times during the production.
Career & Awards (1)
- #024
Avan Jogia cited Tim Curry's performance as Long John Silver as an inspiration for his acting career.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
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