back to top
spot_img

More

collection

Lin-Manuel Miranda Explained Why He Wasn’t Invited Back By Disney To Write Music For “Moana 2” Amid Growing Backlash Toward The Soundtrack


Over Thanksgiving weekend, Moana 2 made historical past with the biggest-ever field workplace opening for an animated movie.

People walking past a cinema with a marquee advertising "Moana 2" featuring characters on a boat, with surrounding buildings and shops visible

Mike Kemp / In Pictures by way of Getty Images

Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson each returned to voice their iconic characters, however to any eagle-eyed viewers, there was a notable title lacking from the credit.

Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson at the Moana 2 premiere in front of a Disney Moana backdrop. One wears a floral dress, and the other a black jacket with floral patterns

Tim P. Whitby / Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited

Fans of the unique will keep in mind that Moana’s unforgettable songs had been penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda — who many know because the Broadway legend who gave the world Hamilton and In the Heights.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in a dark suit and tie stands on a blue carpet at an event with "Moana" logos in the background

Lin-Manuel has been writing songs for Disney for some time — however he didn’t begin with Moana. Did that earlier than the 2016 hit, he really composed two songs for Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

Afp / AFP by way of Getty Images

After Moana 2 was introduced in February of this yr, it was later revealed that Lin-Manuel would get replaced as songwriter by duo Barlow and Bear, who rose to fame in 2022 because the minds behind The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.

Barlow and Bear holding awards, dressed in elegant evening gowns, at the IndieWire Honors event
Michael Buckner / IndieWire by way of Getty Images

On Monday evening, in an interview with People, Lin-Manuel defined why he hadn’t returned to the world of Moana to put in writing music, regardless of having been nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the unique.

Lin-Manuel Miranda with glasses and a beard smiling, wearing a dark outfit against a plain background

Axelle / FilmMagic

“There was by no means a chance to be on Moana 2,” Lin-Manuel mentioned. Explaining that this was as a result of film’s manufacturing course of, he added that the movie “already had their songwriters.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda stands casually beside a sign at a salon dinner event, wearing a gray hoodie, shirt, and dark pants with sneakers
John Lamparski / Getty Images

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter that additionally came about on Monday, Lin-Manuel clarified that he had gone straight from engaged on Encanto to receiving the script for Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in formal attire with glasses on a red carpet for "The Lion King" event signage

Gilbert Flores / Variety by way of Getty Images

“It didn’t line up that method,” he mentioned. “Moana 2 was already in course of as a TV sequence, with Emily [Bear] and Abigail [Barlow]. So when that call acquired made to show [it] right into a film, they had been already, . Already cookin’.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda with short hair, wearing a ribbed sweater and microphone, sits on a talk show set, attentively listening

Nbc / Weiss Eubanks / NBCUniversal by way of Getty Images

While Moana 2 has had unquestionable success on the field workplace, some viewers on-line have had divided opinions — with the sequel solely receiving 61% on Rotten Tomatoes versus the 2016 authentic’s 95%.

Dwayne Johnson stands on a set designed like a tropical island, near a large decorative hook, in front of a "Moana 2" backdrop

Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett / WireImage

And in an interview with Variety, Abigail of Barlow and Bear responded to a few of the criticism of the music, saying, “Give it a month, all the children can be singing it, and also you’ll be uninterested in it.”

Abigain Barlow in a feather-trimmed top and skirt poses at the Grammy Museum

Sarah Morris / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Her response sparked a LOT of discourse amongst viewers. Many had been fast to counsel that this mentality was the rationale why the sequel’s music might not have lived as much as the unique songs.

Barlow and Bear sitting on stage, holding microphones. They are wearing feathered outfits and appear to be at a performance or event with a piano in the background

One viral publish on X learn, “this sentiment alone exhibits how the brand new songwriters miss the purpose. i believe most disney songwriters currently goal for one thing purely catchy leaning into fashionable pop sounds, slightly than a tune written and composed nicely sufficient to hold the proper feelings and deepen the story.”

Sarah Morris / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

While they had been engaged on Moana 2, Barlow and Bear steadily heard from Lin-Manuel, who was solely a “FaceTime name away.”

Barlow and Bear pose together at a "Moana 2" event, wearing elegant black outfits, with Moana character posters in the background

“He gave me books from musical theater storytelling greats [that were] all about the best way to craft a lyric and the best way to inform tales by way of music in essentially the most succinct and pleasing method. He was like, ‘Don’t be afraid to lean into the stuff you wish to take heed to,’ and that was actually useful,” mentioned Abigail.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

And whereas talking to People, Lin-Manuel himself mentioned that he was “actually proud” that the duo had been engaged on the sequel alongside composers Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina.

Lin-Manuel Miranda in a formal black jacket with glasses, standing on a red carpet at a media event

Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney

You can catch Moana 2 in cinemas nationwide now. If you’ve seen it, LMK your ideas within the feedback.

More on this



Ella Bennet
Ella Bennet
Ella Bennet brings a fresh perspective to the world of journalism, combining her youthful energy with a keen eye for detail. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to delivering reliable information make her a trusted voice in the industry. Whether she’s unraveling complex issues or highlighting inspiring stories, her writing resonates with readers, drawing them in with clarity and depth.
spot_imgspot_img