Jim Carrey in Mr. Popper's Penguins
Have you read the book Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater? It's about a man who dreams of going to Antarctica, but never expects that Antarctica will come to him when he inherits a brood of penguins! The movie version starring Jim Carrey is coming out on Friday, June 17 and it looks really cute.
Scholastic News Kid Reporter, Damien Murphy, interviewed Jim Carrey to get the scoop on the movie and what it was like to work with the penguins.
Q: What are some of the things you learned about penguins making this movie?
Jim: First of all, they have all these little teeth inside their beaks that go backwards. So if you were to stick your finger in their mouth and they like bit your finger real hard, you wouldn't be able to get your finger out. It's like one of those snake teeth kind of things. It's scary looking actually if you look at it. But they're really cool; I really loved them. I had fun.
Q: What kinds of practical jokes did the penguins pull on you?
Jim: Well, you know, they poop a lot. They poop at the worse possible moments. You might be in the middle of a line and suddenly "Pthhh" and . . ."Cut!" And you know, there's C.G. (computer generated) penguins and there's robot penguins as well as the live penguins. The robot penguins were hilarious because every time somebody had their cell phone on, they would go crazy. The would go "Nnnnnnnnnn," and their heads would shake all over the place!
Q: What temperature did you have to maintain on set with the penguins?
Jim: 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold! If the temperature went above 30 degrees, the the penguins would start to overheat. You could tell they were overheating because they would stick their flippers out really high sideways and hold them up. The trainer would say they are getting too hot. You have to be careful of that.
Q: What is the funniest thing about working with the penguins?
Jim: Getting bit a lot. I got bit—a lot. Because I'd get close to them in a scene, I'd have to like feed them fish in a scene or something and you can't get your fingers out of the way fast enough, so they chomped on me a few times. And everyone had a good laugh about it—except me.
Q: What is the worst thing about living with penguins?
Jim: Well, there's the poop factor. And they are really loud. They are super loud. They would be on another part of the stage and we would be in a part of a scene without penguins and you'd hear "WHaaaaaaaaaaaa!" They kind of sound like a velociraptor.
Q: If you were to really inherit six animals, what kind of animal would you choose?
Jim: Penguins would be it. On the other hand, then I'd have to have my house be 30 degrees, so let me rethink that. Well, you know, Chinchillas look pretty cool. They are cute little fur balls that fly off the walls and stuff like that. That would be pretty fun.
What do you think? Have you read Mr. Popper's Penguins? Are you excited about the movie? Let us know in the Comments.
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my teacher read the book to me a mouth ago and i LOVED it!!! i want to see the movie sooo bad!!
Comment #26 | Posted by: morgan808 on June 20, 2011 at 01:36 PM
i like this movie! i wanna see it but parents won't let me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #27 | Posted by: rachael on June 20, 2011 at 05:15 PM
i like jim carey . he's funny
Comment #28 | Posted by: rachael on June 20, 2011 at 05:16 PM
i loved the book,but the movie i don't think going to so good ecept for when they "stepo change stepo change word".(danced)
Comment #29 | Posted by: blackcat203 on June 20, 2011 at 08:06 PM
I loved the book as well as the movie it's so funny
Comment #30 | Posted by: blackcat203 on June 20, 2011 at 08:08 PM
i am seeing the movie!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #31 | Posted by: cashcash18 on June 21, 2011 at 10:41 AM
I can't wait to see the movie! I read the book acfew days ago,and just can't wait till the movie! Hurray Jim Carry!!!!!!
Bye, Annie iPad
Comment #32 | Posted by: Annie iPad on June 21, 2011 at 12:51 PM
ive read the book,but the promos don't seem to follow the storyline that was disappointing
Comment #33 | Posted by: deeill on June 21, 2011 at 12:53 PM
I'm NOT GOING 2 SEE THIS. The book looks better, and, anyway, it is better.
Comment #34 | Posted by: Ashley on June 22, 2011 at 11:21 AM
i can't wait to see the movie it look hilarious!!:)
Comment #35 | Posted by: JBlover on June 22, 2011 at 12:45 PM
it was soooooooooooooooo
cute!
Comment #36 | Posted by: skaterkoalabear1 on June 22, 2011 at 04:52 PM
i'm gonna see the movie!
Comment #37 | Posted by: destiny on June 22, 2011 at 05:48 PM
i ♥ mr. poppers penguins. i cant wait 4 the movie 2 come out me and my B.F. r gonna go c it.
Comment #38 | Posted by: fearlessathena17 on June 22, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I seriously want to see that movie.And I think it is cool those penguins are from mystic.I just been there a little wile ago.:]
Comment #39 | Posted by: cobrachief2 on June 22, 2011 at 08:56 PM
My classmates read this and we all enjoyed it and we ALL want to see the movie...
Comment #40 | Posted by: Chattytiger1 on June 22, 2011 at 10:10 PM
jim is so funny and so is stike
Comment #41 | Posted by: dogpink74 on June 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM
heyyxxxx
Comment #42 | Posted by: colby on June 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM
hi
Comment #43 | Posted by: colby on June 23, 2011 at 12:06 PM
i really want to read ittttt they said it was hilorious!!!!!
Comment #44 | Posted by: hammouse1 on June 23, 2011 at 01:15 PM
I saw this movie it was great i woul loved to read the book but i can't find it. it sound great I will look hard so i can read it I love jim carey he is sooo fuy i think he is a good actor !
Comment #45 | Posted by: Student13 on June 23, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Just wondering, why would you live with penguins in the first place?
Comment #46 | Posted by: quietgoing3 on June 23, 2011 at 04:11 PM
I haven't read the book...I was planning on reading it when I saw the movie. It was hilarious and a nice family movie. Highly recommended! :)
Comment #47 | Posted by: astronautsnake2 on June 23, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Oh this movie is hilarious! I watched it and I totally loved it! It's a great movie and everybody should watch it! I love when Captain (one of the penguins) flies with the kite in the sky. Awesome movie! :)
Comment #48 | Posted by: Hannah on June 23, 2011 at 09:27 PM
BTW I LUV JIM CARREY!!! <3
Comment #49 | Posted by: Hannah on June 23, 2011 at 09:30 PM
that movie seems funny i want to watch it so bad and the book was okay i liked the book
Comment #50 | Posted by: capitalpoetry2 on June 23, 2011 at 09:35 PM