This article is about the version in The Muppet Christmas Carol. For the version in A Christmas Carol, see Ebenezer Scrooge.
Ebenezer Scrooge is the main protagonist of The Muppet Christmas Carol, based on the character of the same name from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.
Background[]
Personality[]
As with most adaptations, Scrooge is portrayed as a miserly, hate-filled individual who shows no care or empathy for anyone or anything in the world except for money. It is established in the past that he was always this way, even as a child, hating Christmas and preferring to stay in the cold classrooms of his youth. Much of his upbringing has to do with the influence of his headmaster, portrayed by Sam the Eagle, and was delighted at the prospect of apprenticing at a established business. His business mindset remained even as a young adult, though he was capable of showing love upon meeting Belle.
One of the most unique aspects of this portrayal of the character that he is is more cold and reserved with only occasional outbursts. Scrooge is also depicted as being reasonable and is shown sad and confused when speaking with the Ghost of Christmas Past, but happy and enlivened when with the Ghost of Christmas Present, so much so that his transition to liking Christmas happens before he even meets the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Physical appearance[]
The typical portrayal of Scrooge is that of a thin, elderly man who prominently wears black clothing, usually of the Victorian era, accompanied alongside a black top hat with a matching band and a walking cane. This version of Scrooge is placed as being in his late 50's, something which is actually fairly accurate to someone who is "elderly" at the time the film is set.
Trivia[]
- Interestingly, Scrooge's sister Fan is never brought up or mentioned in this incarnation of the character, despite depicting his nephew Fred.
- Michael Caine was 59 when the film was released, just one year older than Charles Dickens when he passed away.
- Michael Caine actively pursued the role of Ebenezer Scrooge after he missed his chance to guest star on The Muppet Show (he was living in the US at the time in tax exile and the series was filmed in the UK).
- David Hemmings, Ron Moody, Peter O'Toole, David Warner, and George Carlin were considered for the part. Jack Lemmon was also considered, but he wanted to play Kermit the Frog, causing the producers to immediately dismiss him. Bob Hoskins was also a popular choice, but was turned down because he was too short. Hoskins would go on to play Fezziwig and Old Joe in the 2009 adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Gallery[]
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See also[]
Original[]
Disney characters portraying Scrooge[]
- Scrooge McDuck (Alan Young) - A Disney character inspired by Ebenezer Scrooge, who also portrayed the role in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
- Cruella De Vil (April Winchell) - Portrayed the role in the 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode "A Christmas Cruella".
- Pepper Ann Pearson (Kathleen Wilhoite) - Portrayed the role in the Pepper Ann episode "A Valentine's Day Tune".
- Rabbit (Ken Sansom) - Portrayed the role in Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo.
- Todd Daring (Nancy Cartwright) - Portrayed the role in The Replacements episode "Dick Daring's All-Star Holiday Stunt Spectacular V".
- London Tipton (Brenda Song) - Portrayed the role in The Suite Life on Deck episode "A London Carol".
- Captain Hook (Corey Burton) - Portrayed the role in the Jake and the Never Land Pirates episode "Captain Scrooge".
