10 Weird Early Appearances By Iconic Film Characters

2. Kermit The Murderous Frog

Technically the Muppets had their start on television, with their eponymous Show, but we don't think they really hit the big time €“ internationally at least €“ until they moved to the big screen, and they sealed themselves forever as multi-generational film icons thanks to their recent movie revival. So, shush, Kermit The Frog is totally a film icon. And one with a lot of personality and character for what is essentially a couple of pounds of felt with a dudes hand stuck up his bum: consistently Kermit has played the part of the long-suffering, slightly anxious and softly spoken leader of the group, the one in charge of putting everything together and making sure it runs smoothly. His demure demeanour also makes him a good foil to romantic interest Miss Piggy, who is anything but. It might surprise you to learn, therefore, that Kermit wasn't always that way. A good decade before the Muppets became prime time entertainment, Jim Henson was having trouble selling his googly-eyed creations; so, in 1957, he was approached by Wilkins Coffee to produce a series of television adverts using his puppets. The star of the commercials was a sort of prototype of Kermit, a character who didn't quite look like the polished, well presented frog we see today, but is clearly an early version of him. Rather than the reserved and polite character from the later show and movies, however, this early proto-Kermit is a complete psychopath, whose whole thing in the adverts is to brutally kill off other Muppets who are foolish enough to drink one the inferior products of Wilkins' competitors. They're actually kinda chilling. Even when the death sentences are delivered in that voice.