Michael Caine photographed by David Bailey, London 1965

Muppet Fact #98

Some of the actors considered for the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppets Christmas Carol were David Warner, George Carlin, Ron Moody, and David Hemmings.

When the role was offered to Michael Caine, he said, "I'm going to play this movie like I'm working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I will never wink, I will never do anything Muppety. I am going to play Scrooge as if it is an utterly dramatic role and there are no puppets around me." Caine said he took his inspiration from "Wall Street cheats and embezzlers, [because he] thought they represented a very good picture of meanness and greed."

Sources:

"How we made: The Muppet Christmas Carol." Brian Henson, Steve Whitmire. Interview by Ben Beaumont-Thomas. The Guardian. December 30, 2016.

"14 Things You Didn't Know About "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Katie Heaney. Buzzfeed. December 12, 2013.

"Ebenezer's Good." Allan Hunter. The List. December 18, 1992.

Sir Michael Caine & Giovanna Ralli during the filming of “Deadfall” (1968)

Michael Caine in London, England. 1965.