The Muppet Movie a Florida swamp, strumming his banjo and singing "The Rainbow Connection", when he is approached by a Hollywood talent agent named Bernie (Dom DeLuise) who encourages Kermit to pursue a career in show business. Inspired by the idea of "making millions of people happy", Kermit sets off on a cross-country trip to Los Angeles, but is soon pursued by entrepreneur Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) and his shy assistant Max (Austin Pendleton) in an attempt to convince Kermit to be the new spokesman of Hopper's struggling French-fried frog legs restaurant franchise, to Kermit's disgust. As Kermit continuously declines his offers, Hopper
Nightmare in the Sun original story, and his wife co-wrote the screenplay. The movie was financed by Ricky du Pont, one of the du Pont family. Du Pont wanted on screen credit but Lawrence refused. He said in a later interview, "I said, 'I can't. If all these guys knew the money came from a millionaire, they'd cut my throat. If I sell the picture and your name is on it, I won't get a penny for it'." Hedda Hopper announced Du Pont financed the film in her column in September 1963. Sammy Davis Jr. played a cameo and was reportedly going to sing