Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Review

Since the 1982 film helmed by puppetmasters Jim Henson and Frank Oz, I was fantastically transported to another world. I was born in 1982 and saw the movie seven or eight years later on VHS. It came to my attention when watching a Jim Henson special on PBS and saw clips of the Dark Crystal. I went to a VHS rental store (which does not exist anymore) and asked for the movie 'with Jim Henson puppets with large scary bird-like creatures and elf-like people.' I have since bought the DVD and my friends have the collector editions and DVDs. Once we even mixed up our discs since we had the same version. Anyway, fast-forward 37 years later to Netflix greenlighting the TV series Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. 

Some critics have said 'it is just for fans' which is a loaded statement. I think it can allure new fans. But if you were born before 1982 or were never into high fantasy, then perhaps this is not for you. I am sure than people that are into high fantasy but born before 1982 would enjoy this. People have called this "the new Game of Thrones," I only seen bits and pieces of Game of Thrones so I can't effectively stand behind that statement. The new series is a wonderful hybrid, not quite a TV series and not a movie but feels like a film. Some people say this surpasses the original in quality. It definitely a love letter to fans of the movie and the creators of the movie. This is a labor of love, they have to create every prop and creature from scratch, some from photos and props of the originals. With the latest technology, they can 3D print lots of things. CGI appends characters and backgrounds instead of replacing. The major characters are all puppets. 

What's the plot?

It's a prequel. I don't think you have to see the movie to understand the series. It takes place in a foreign planet Thra, populated by plant-animal hybrids, Geflings, small humanoid elves, and the even smaller Potato-like Podlings. Thousands of years ago, the UrSkesis arrived and split into two versions, the peaceful Mystics and the evil Skesis. But the Geflings didn't know they were evil, they served the 'Lords of the Crystal.' Aughra (Donna Kimball) entrusted the Crystal of Truth, the lifeline of the whole planet to the Skesis while she entered the Astral Plane and explored the cosmos which called her attention. So the Skesis have been abusing the crystal and it is now purple and it is causing 'the darkening.' Instead of giving power, the Scientist (Mark Hamill hamming it up) made it so it sucks out the souls of things--the essence. 

So we are introduced to three main Geflings, of three different clans. There are 7 clans of Geflings and they all hate each other. It is racism and when Geflings are told the truth of Skesis, they don't believe it. The series really does reflect modern times with politics, racism, and conspiracies. Rian (Taron Egerton) is a guard at the castle and his girlfriend is killed for her essence so he goes on the run as he becomes public enemy #1 and the Skesis run lies about him that scare the other Geflings. Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel) leaves her two fathers (above) and little brother to go on a mission to inform the All-Maudra (the queen of queens) of the Geflings about the darkening. Deet comes from an underground clan known as the Grottan Clan and they have dark eyes that have to adjust to the light. Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a studious Vapra clan princess who receives a vision against the Skesis and challenges her mother and sisters about rules and traditions concerning the Skesis. So the trio doesn't meet until the fifth of ten episodes and the ultimate goal of the tenth episode is to wage war against the Skesis.

Review: 

The series is stunningly beautiful. Everything is crafted with care and the series pulls you in and you forget you're watching puppets. Now the biggest criticism are the Gefling. There is a bit of the Uncanny Valley going on with them. CGI helps with the blinking of eyes and such but there isn't a lot of range of emotion to their faces. It works sometimes and other times it falls flat, especially when it has to be overally dramatic. Don't get me wrong, the puppeteers do an awesome job but there is a jarring disconnect between the acting of the puppeteers and the famous actors voicing them. It is basically dubbing. Sometimes it does not translate. Jason Issacs does an acceptable job with Emperor Skesis. The best has to be Simon Pegg as the Chamberlain who does the best Frank Oz impression I've ever heard. 

There are new Skesis such as the General (which one critic mistook for the Garthim-Master), the Collector (Aquafina), the Hunter, and the Heretic. There are Skesis from the film that are absent here and probably will appear for season two. It took 6 years for them to do this so I suspecting Season 2 won't come until 2021. French director Louis Leterrier is the real stunner here, he comes from his action background of the Transporter and the Incredible Hulk but Dark Crystal inspired him as a child. He brought in motion control cameras which gives the world of Thra a more visceral feel. The action is beyond what you would expect and gives the puppets an extra kick. My favorite character by far is Hup the Podling (Victor Yerrid).

Praise to ABC's The Muppets

I was not sure what to make of this new "The Muppets" as I never really like "Muppets Tonight," which was on ABC in the 90's was like a televised "The Muppet Show" but it was quickly cancelled. And I think the downfall of that show as that the host was not Kermit. Anyway, in this format, it is much like the single camera comedies like "The Office" which my friend Natasha calls "The Muppets meets the Office." They said it would be more 'adult' and I was weary to that comment but it somehow works. It is cute and cuddly for kids and they make jokes to fly over their heads and adults get. It has delicious innuendo. For example, Bobo the Bear says "[Muppet Mayhem] are always happy." "Yeah, legally now," Scooter responded. Another example, Zoot wakes up in a meeting. "This is meeting? Well, Hi, I'm Zoot." Floyd tells him, "Different kind of meeting."

Bascially the plot is that the Muppets run Miss Piggy's new late night talk show. Kermit is the EP, Gonzo, Rizzo and Pepe Prawn are writers, Sam Eagle is executive of standard and practices, the Muppet Mayhem are the band naturally, Fozzie is Miss Piggy's sidekick, Statler and Wordolf are hecklers in the audience, Swedish Chef is the charterer, Scooter is the Casting Agent, Uncle Deadly is in charge of wardrobe, and Rowlf runs a bar across the street. I think the comparisons to "The Office' should die down with more focus on Miss Piggy's talk show. If anything it is like "The Larry Saunders Show". Kermit has a new girlfriend that is a pig too. The whole idea of Kermit and Piggy breaking up as a PR stunt was tried back in the 90's but because of Jim Henson's death, it was forgotten. Now it is the basis of the show. Some fans think the will get back together and some fans think they won't. Executive Producer Bill Prady (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men) used to write for the Muppets under Jim Henson and might be using some of Jim's ideas or the spirit of them, not ripping off. He even worked on a  pilot for another muppets show that didn't work out...

Guest Stars have been hit and miss, some we actually see in the talk show, most of them are behind the scenes, the majority of them play themselves so far. The guest stars so far in the past five episodes are Elizabeth Banks, Tracy Anderson, Tom Bergeron, Imagine Dragons, Josh Groban, Laurence Fishburne, Jay Leno, Lea Thompson, Reza Aslan, Christina Applegate, Nick Offerman, Liam Hemsworth, Ed Helms and Reese Witherspoon. I hope it lasts many seasons. What I fear is that Kermit and Piggy will become bitter characters. Piggy is already at high diva levels.

This is how the movie was suppose to be dont get me wrong, I liked the movie. Frank Oz even said it was too sweet. I agree. I think Muppets Most Wanted failed because it was a trite plot.

Controversy

http://tvline.com/2015/09/22/muppets-abc-controversy-mature-perverted-humor/

Unused or Discarded Disney Characters

While developing a script or a movie, creators have to get rid of a character or no longer see the need for it. Or the character evolves into something better.

 

Little Mermaid

Ariel not only had Flounder and Sebastian, she also had a dolphin friend. Breaker the dolphin's personality was then implanted into Ariel.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/6928/The_Little_Mermaid

 

Beauty and the Beast

Belle was supposed to have a cute little music box who didn't speak but had music. He was replaced by Chip. He does appear in the movie next to Lumiere before the villagers attack the castle.

http://fancysomedisneymagic.tumblr.com/post/3922625605/unused-disney-characters

Aladdin
Aladdin's mom was once in the movie and Aladdin had a song called "Proud of your boy", a song that Clay Aiken even sang at one point in time. She was removed from the movie and Aladdin was made an orphan. It returned in the Broadway show. Also, there was to be another genie, one in a ring that Jafar would use. Rumored voices were Jim Carey and Lily Tomlin, unknown if they were actually asked.
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Aladdin's_Mother
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Genie_of_the_Ring

Before Jeffrey Katzenberg's "Black Friday," Aladdin had three human friends called Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. "One Step Ahead" was originally written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken as "Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Cassim" and was deleted. They came back in Broadway's Aladdin. Cassim's spelling was changed because Aladdin's dad was called Cassim in "Aladdin and the King of Thieves."

 

Lion King

There was Meethu ("Mee-Too"), Nala's brother had a desire to tag along with the two older cubs and their other friend, a bat-eared fox. After Scar’s coup, Nala would’ve been tasked with protecting her brother from Scar. The development of characters like Timon and Pumbaa rendered a second group of friends for Simba not needed.

http://thefw.com/more-deleted-disney-characters/?trackback=tsmclip

 

Pocahontas

Believe it or not, Pocahontas had another friend in a turkey. Redfeather the turkey was replaced by Meeko.

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Redfeather

 

Mulan

Mulan had two dragons named Yin and Yang instead of Mushu, then it was a dragon and a phoenix, eventually they were canned for Mushu.

http://www.curatormagazine.com/aaronbelz/the-maker-of-mulans-mushu-speaks/

 

Muppet's Treasure Island

Amazonia the Parrot was Black Beard's female friend. Apparently Black Beard's Parrot friend was too flirty and female, was changed to Stevenson (above) who appeared in a CD-ROM game and he was ditched for Polly the Lobster.

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Amazonia_the_Parrot

 

Bambi

Bee was an insect that was taken out of Bambi, no reason given.

http://www.disneydreaming.com/2011/03/27/discarded-bambi-character-bee/

 

Not only the bee, but Thumper's dad was booted too. Mr. Hare is referenced in the movie but never seen but he was to be included, as he was in the original book. In one early draft of the script, he is constantly trying to tell Bambi a story, but keeps having to run off to avoid a fox before he can finish. He was to die as well. Thumper replaced him because of a cute child actor.

 http://thefw.com/lost-disney-characters/?trackback=tsmclip

 

 

Snow White
In the original Snow White story, the dwarfs all had generic names and no defined personalities. Disney gave them names, but there were some that were unused. Deafy, sometimes written as 'Deefy,' he was hard of hearing.  Story drawings of Deafy still exist, proving that he was a more serious contender for a role in the film than other suggested dwarfs like Thrifty, Burpy, Wheezy, Jumpy, Baldy and Awful (steals and drinks and is dirty). Sneezy did replace Deafy. In Once Upon a Time, an 8th Dwarf has been added named Stealthy. http://thefw.com/lost-disney-characters/?trackback=tsmclip

 

 Alice in Wonderland

Gryphon and Mock Turtle were in the books and they were planned characters for the movie but they were probably cut for time, which is funny because Alice in Wonderland is one of the shortest Disney animated features. Gryphon and Mock Turtle were actually used in a Black and White Jell-O commercial and it looks like they reused some cells from the planned canceled scene and some cells of Alice from the exact movie and just put new voiceovers for Jell-O.

http://thefw.com/lost-disney-characters/?trackback=tsmclip

 

 

The Rescuers

Among the ideas considered early on was a story where the mice rescue a bear trapped in the zoo. Very little has been written about this version of the film, so not much is known about Louis the bear. Louis Prima (King Louie from ‘The Jungle Book’) was slated to voice him. Walt Disney’s death in 1966 may have weakened enthusiasm for the bear in the zoo storyline and also that Louis Prima had a brain tumor.

 http://thefw.com/lost-disney-characters/?trackback=tsmclip



Pop culture Uncles and Nephews

I have been an uncle since I was 5 and became a Great Uncle four years ago (I'm 31, my sister is 48 and a grandma). I am fascinated by uncles and nephews in the media, as many don't mention the mother or father of the nephew.

 Kermit and Robin

 Robin first appeared in Frog Prince in 1971 television special. Although Robin made a few appearances on The Muppet Show's first season, his relationship to Kermit was not established until Season 2. He was voiced by Jerry Nelson. He is now voiced by Matt Vogel. They were then translated into Muppet Babies, Robin was a tadpole.

 Scooby-Doo and Scrappy

Scooby-Doo was part of a ghost detective group of teenagers and he loved eating. Later on in the first series, his nephew was introduced. Scrappy was not a popular character but he was Scooby's nephew. Scrappy turned up in the live-action film as a villain.

Donald Duck and his nephews

Huey, Dewey and Louie were created by Ted Osborne and Al Taliaferro, and first appeared in a newspaper comic strip on October 17, 1937. They are identical triplets, they have also been given to Uncle Scrooge on DuckTales.

 Mickey Mouse and his nephews

His nephews aren't very well known but appear in a lot of merchandise and a few cartoons. Morty and Fredie Fieldmouse are their names. They started in Mickey's Nephews (published in 1932).

 Popeye and his nephews

Popeye's nephews Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye and Poopeye first starred in "Me Musical Nephews.” They are not as better known as other nephews in popular media.

 _______________________
Here are some Uncle and Nieces or Aunts and Nieces

 Inspector Gadget and Penny

Penny was the brains of the operation.

 

Minnie Mouse and her nieces

In the short Bowtoons, Minnie has twin nieces Millie and Melody.

  

Tenderheart and Wonderheart

In the current CGI series "Welcome to Care-A-Lot," the main bear Tenderheart now has a little niece known as Wonderheart.

Miss Piggy, Andy and Randy

Her nephews became more known in Muppets Tonight.

Muppet Generation 2 Performers

I covered what performers there were there for muppets back in the day but here are those who took over for the old performers for various reasons. Where one performer cover 5 Muppets or more, there are performers who split them up.

 Kermit the Frog

Famously Kermit was performed by Jim Henson,  when he passed away, the family had to make the decision if Kermit would continue and ultimately Steve Whitmire. Jane Henson reflected on the recasting, in a 1990 interview: "Steve Whitmire as Kermit: "When Jim was alive, he said if anything happened to him, Kermit must go on right away. Because of Kermit's significant place, Jim had essentially chosen who he thought could do it. But we don't want to say who it is before the show. The performer needs time. Kermit won't come back so strong at first. Then little by little, he will get his whole personality back."

  Miss Piggy

 Eric Jacobson took over in 2001 from Frank Oz. Frank Oz only did voice over for Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets in Space. Eric Jacobson started working with the Muppets in 1994 as a puppeteer on Sesame Street, and rose through the ranks of Sesame puppeteers. In order to keep the characters of Frank Oz - who was focusing more on directing and other pursuits - alive and visible, Jacobson was selected due to his strong puppeteer talent and extremely similar vocal range. Jacobson is currently the principal performer of Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Animal and Sam the Eagle – as Frank Oz had retired as their performer in 2000.

 

 Fozzie the Bear

Frank Oz originated the role, Eric Jacobson took over in 2001.

Gonzo

David Goelz still performs Gonzo. He also performs Beauregard, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Boober Fraggle, Uncle Traveling Matt, Stinky the Skunk, and Rugby Tiger, as well as succeeding the role of Waldorf from Jim Henson.

Scooter

He was originated by Richard Hunt in 1976 until he passed away in 1991. David Rudman took over in 2008. Though Scooter never made any appearances between 1992 and 1999, a framed photo of him appears on-screen in Muppets Tonight episode 106. Following the death of Richard Hunt, Scooter would not have a consistent performer for 16 years until David Rudman took over.

 

Janice

Janice was originally performed by Fran Brill in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence pilot in 1975, and in the first set of Muppet Meeting Films. Eren Ozker performed Janice in the first season of The Muppet Show. Richard Hunt took over the character in season two, and gave Janice her familiar Valley girl voice and attitude. David Rudman has since taken over.

Statler and Waldorf

Richard Hunt did Statler from 1976 - 1991, Jerry Nelson originated it in 1975 and took over 1992 - 2003. He died and Steve Whitmire took over 2002 - present. Jim Henson did Waldorf from 1975 - 1990 and Dave Goelz took over 1992 - present.

Rowlf the dog

Jim Henson started it in 1962 to 1990. Bill Baretta took over in 1996. Jim Henson would usually perform the head (and voice) and left hand, while another Muppeteer (including, at various times, Frank Oz, Jerry Juhl, Jerry Nelson, Louise Gold, and Steve Whitmire) performed his right hand.

Beaker

Richard Hunt started the role, Steve Whitmire took over in 1992.

Floyd Pepper

Jerry Nelson started it and stopped performing in 2003. He died recently. Matt Vogel took over in 2006. Since joining Sesame Street in 1996, Matt Vogel has become most familiar for his work as Caroll Spinney's understudy for Big Bird on Sesame Street, including the "Journey to Ernie" segments, several street scenes and other appearances whenever Spinney is unavailable. He has also taken over some of Jerry Nelson's characters (Robin the frog and Count von count), by the recommendation of Nelson himself, multiple years before Nelson's death.

Grover and Bert

 Frank Oz performed Bert and Grover. In 1997, Eric Jacobson started performing Bert on a semi-regular basis, and the next year he added Grover to his list as well; he began to perform both characters full-time with Play with Me Sesame. Today, Jacobson is the principal performer of these two Sesame stars – however Frank Oz occasionally comes in to record new material with them.

 Cookie Monster

Frank Oz originated it, David Rudman took over in 2001. Rudman first started working with the Muppets in a summer internship with the Muppet Workshop in 1981, when he was 18 years old. His friend Richard Hunt helped him get a job as a Muppet performer.

Ernie

Steve Whitmire took over in 1993 from Jim Henson.

Dream Casting: Jim Henson Biopic

UPDATED 8/4/13 8:30 PM EST
I love the Muppets and I've been watching the Muppet Show lately. And I have always believed that Jim Henson was a creative revolutionary, a genius entertainer. I am surprised there hasn't yet been a biography tv movie yet on Jim Henson. But I forsee a movie of course. There is plenty to tell, how Henson got his start on a local show Sam and Friends, then various stints and commercials and specials and how he struggled to get the Muppet Show on the air but no network wanted it. At the end, he got a company in the UK to do it. His rise to success with various movies and then his 'mysterious' illness, his marriage and children. I think it was a straight off drama but didn't take it too seriously and brought comedy from its light and dark moments. One thing would be the voices of the Muppets, they would have to get the rights and the support of the Henson family.

Paul Rudd as Jim Henson

Not only the creator, director, writer of many Muppet projects but also the voice of many characters other than Kermit including Rowlf, Doctor Teeth, Link Heartthrob, Waldorf, Ernie, the Swedish Chef and much more. He not only did Muppets and Sesame Street but also responsible for Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and the puppetry in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. Jim was a striking man, especially when he had short hair. Paul Rudd (This is Forty, 40-year-old Virgin, Clueless and Knocked Up) is also a striking man, he can handle drama and comedy and a dramedy would be perfect for Henson.

 

 

David Cross as Frank Oz

Frank Oz was Henson's right hand man, now an acclaimed director. Frank originated Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Grover, Animal, Cookie Monster, Sam the Eagle, Bert, Yoda, and various others. He had a special relationship with Henson. He and Henson co-directed Dark Crystal. David Cross usually does comedy, he did some drama and he is the one that looks the most identical than the others I picked. Other people think they look alike especially when David Cross plays Tobias Funke in Arrested Development.

 

Will Forte as Jerry Nelson

Jerry Nelson first worked with Jim Henson in 1965 when Frank Oz got drafted and Henson needed somebody to perform the right hand of Rowlf on The Jimmy Dean Show. He has a distinct voice. Although he was uncredited, Nelson reprised his role as announcer during The Muppet Telethon in 2011's The Muppets. He died August 23, 2012 after years of health issues complicated by COPD. He voiced the Count, Floyd Pepper, Robin the frog (Kermit's nephew), Lew Zealand, and Gobo Fraggle. Will Forte (Saturday Night Live, MacGruber, 30 Rock, and Beerfest) can do plenty voices. Other than resembling him, I think they have a similar sense of humor. Also Forte had experience on a Variety Show which is what the Muppet Show was.

Simon Helberg as Richard Hunt

After high school graduation and a four-month stint of doing weather reports at a local radio station, Hunt had his first inkling that he might join the Muppets. His first project was The Great Santa Claus Switch in 1970, along with Fran Brill. A few weeks later, he was invited to be in a workshop production. The newcomer was so good, Henson asked him to work a Muppet appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He performed and voiced Scooter, Beeker, Janice and Sweetums. Simon Helberg (MADtv, 'Big Bang Theory') has done a spot-on Kermit impression and he's young and I am sure can bring the young spirit Richard had. Richard died from complications of AIDS in 1992, shortly after Henson.

 

Zach Galifianakis as Dave Goelz

The mechanically-minded Goelz worked for such companies as John Deere, American Airlines, and Hewlett Packard as industrial designer. He then went on to design and build muppets and quickly went to performing. He did Gonzo, Boober Fraggle, Bunsen Honeydew, and Zoot. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) is a natural fit, he envelops himself in his roles. Maybe its the beard. Lots of these guys have beards. Like Frank Oz, Dave Goelz is still alive. 
 

Taylor Handley as Steve Whitmire

Steve was young too like Richard Hunt, he did Rizzo Rat and minor characters on the Muppet Show and went on to do Bean Bunny and Wembley Fraggle and ultimately Kermit the Frog. He took over in "The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson." Maybe Taylor Handley (Zerophilla, "Hidden Palms," "The O.C.," and "Vegas") is too attractive but he is a terrific actor (he is recently in a Playstation commercial). Steve Whitmare, Dave Goelz and Frank Oz are the only major players that are still alive.

Kevin Hart as Kevin Clash

In the early '80s, he performed regularly, with Jim Martin, on Bob Keeshan's Wake Up with the Captain (Captain Kangaroo). In 1979, Muppet performers were performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and extra puppeteers were needed for the Sesame Street float. Clash was brought in to perform Cookie Monster for the event. Clash worked with Henson in "The Jim Henson Hour." He has had controversy lately but he did have a documentary "Being Elmo." He has performed Elmo, Clifford, Leon, Hoots the Owl, Baby Sinclair of the Dinosaurs and others. Now Kevin Hart (Scary Movie 4, Superhero Movie) is no stranger to controversy in his comedy. Maybe he might have trepidation portraying Clash, but I think he'd be good.

 Gary Oldman as Caroll Spinney

Caroll Spinney portrayed Big Bird. In the 70's of course he had brown hair and now he is best known for having white hair. Gary Oldman (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Batman Begins, Dark Knight Rises, The Fifth Element) can alternate. He is a brilliant actor. In 1955, Spinney headed to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he created the show Rascal Rabbit. In the 1960s, Spinney created two puppet cats, Picklepuss and Pop, who he performed in various venues, including stage shows and some Bozo broadcasts. In 1969, Spinney met Jim Henson at the Puppeteers' of America Festival in Salt Lake City, following an ambitious experimental presentation, which combined different live-puppetry techniques with film projections. I think Oldman would draw sympathy.

 Emma Stone as Louise Gold

She was the only British member of The Muppet Show performing team. She joined the Muppet Team in 1977, during the second season of The Muppet Show. Her most well known character on the show was young and aspiring pig Annie Sue. While on The Muppet Show, she frequently worked as assistant to Jim Henson when performing characters that would require more than one person. She and her character Annie Sue will be back in the upcoming Muppets Most Wanted. It might be a short role but I think Emma Stone (Superbad, Amazing Spider-Man, Easy A) can make it memorable.

 Anne Hutchison as Jane Henson

She worked with Jim in Sam and Friends. She and Henson met in a puppetry course at the University of Maryland, College Park, where they were both undergraduates. They were married for 30 years. Jim and Jane Henson separated in 1986, but remained close until Jim's death in 1990. She died April 2, 2013. Anne Hutchison is Australian, she was in Cabin in the Woods and 'Power Rangers Jungle Fury.'

Freddie Highmore as Brian Henson

Brian Henson is the third child of Jim and Jane Henson. As a child, he made several cameo appearances in Sesame Street. As a teenager, Brian Henson worked at Sesame Place. During the 1980s, Henson wanted to make a name for himself and find work without his father's help. He performed Jack Pumpkinhead in Return to Oz, operated special effects in Santa Clause: The Movie, and was a principal performer for the Audrey II puppet in Little Shop of Horrors. He performed Hoggle in Labriynth. I think Freddie (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, "Bates Hotel") would make a good young Brian. Even though his younger brother John has performed Sweetums, Brian is a more hands-on Muppet performer.

I don't seem to be the only one to have this idea:

http://imgur.com/ro0ot