Ricky Gervais loves the ''optimism'' of the Muppets.

The 52-year-old star hits the big screen in the 'Muppets Most Wanted' alongside children's favourites Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the famous clan.

Gervais insists he admires that they ''try their hardest'' and enjoys watching their ''struggle'' since it adds to their endearment.

Talking about the spirit of the Muppets at film's press conference at London's Soho Hotel on Tuesday (25.03.14), he told BANG Showbiz: ''Trying your hardest and optimism. I love the acceptance of difference, that isn't even commented on, other than a good thing being the difference. I like the fact they struggle. I do it in comedy a lot, I think it's essential, I've learnt that from Laurel and Hardy. The fact that they're precarious and they could fall at any moment. And the optimism, that's another thing I've always supported ... I think that's the spirit of the Muppets.''

However, Miss Piggy chimed: ''The real spirit of the Muppets is flawless beauty.''

Gervais - who plays villain frog Constantine's henchman, Dominic 'The Lemur' Badguy - joked about a possible sequel to the film, and the potential titles they could give it.

He added: ''The best genre is obviously a sequel, everyone knows that. As we know, films get better and better with every sequel - 'Godfather 3'. So we're looking forward to the next sequel, whatever it is, 'Muppets Less Wanted.'''