Frank Oz Explains the Big Difference Between Playing Yoda and a Muppet

Between his acting, directing, and puppeteering work, to call Frank Oz a “legend” in Hollywood seems like an understatement. Before working on The Empire Strikes Back as Yoda, Oz gained notoriety for his skills with The Muppets, but the Jedi master forced him to show off an entirely different set of skills.

“The Muppets, I performed, with Yoda, I acted,” Oz revealed to SYFY. “It’s a different situation. One has to stay true to the storyline, the direction you’re going, the emotions; just be true to whoever you’re working with, as opposed to performing, when you’re looking for laughs. It was always geared to the audience, and when you’re acting, you’re not thinking about the audience. When you’re performing, you are.”

Initially, Oz was only meant to control the Yoda puppet, but the performer eventually won over George Lucas and the filmmaker agreed to allow him to voice the character as well.

Since his debut, Yoda has become a go-to reference for a wise mentor, having helped teach Luke how to be a Jedi in The Empire Strikes Back. In The Last Jedi, the tables have turned, as Luke will be the one teaching Rey how to embrace her skills.

Back at Star Wars Celebration, The Star Wars Show was able to speak with the cast of The Last Jedi. It was there that Hamill was questioned about the growing comparisons fans are making between Yoda/Luke and Luke/Rey.

“We are seeing him take the position of Yoda to a Jedi for the first time,” the interviewer noted before asking Hamill how he felt about that.

“Well, I can’t confirm everything you just said,” Hamill answered. “I think the only story point given is it’s time for the Jedi to end.”

Fans have clearly had Yoda on the brain ever since the debut of the teaser for The Last Jedi, going so far as to believe they saw Yoda appear in a training sequence. Considering the character has passed away and can no longer take a tangible form, those rumors were quickly dispelled.

The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15.