As a gamer with a soft spot for Disney movies and a deep appreciation for musical theater, I must say that Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s absence in Moana 2 is a bit of a letdown. However, his involvement in Mufasa: The Lion King prequel has me excited!
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was nominated for an Oscar for the song “How Far I’ll Go” in the film Moana, discussed his decision not to reprise his role in the hit sequel, Moana 2.
Before the premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the highly acclaimed artist spoke with “The Hollywood Reporter” and clarified that it wasn’t a matter of deciding between working on the “Lion King” prequel or “Moana 2.” Instead, it was about finding an appropriate time for both projects.
He mentioned, “That’s not how it went down, though.” He had received the script for “Mufasa” right after completing “Encanto“, and thus he began working on it at the start of 2022. Consequently, “Moana 2 ” was already in progress as a TV series with Emily [Bear] and Abigail [Barlow]. So, when the decision was made to transform that into a movie, they were already well on their way with the preparations.
Although neither Auli’i Cravalho nor Dwayne Johnson were requested to reprise their roles in the film, the creator of Hamilton was still given an opportunity to listen to Bear and Barlow’s music for it.
As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but express my awe. What truly captivates me isn’t just her immense talent, but the fact that we discovered and nurtured Auli’i when she was only 14 years old! The complexity of the songs she sings in this latest production is mind-blowing. Witnessing her growth as a performer from then to now is nothing short of extraordinary.
Miranda composed the melodies for the initial movie production. The tune “How Far I’ll Go” was recognized in several prestigious award ceremonies, including the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys, where it was nominated for Best Original Song, Best Song for Visual Media, and eventually won the latter category.
As a devoted fan, I found it fascinating when composing the soundtrack for “Mufusa.” He shared that crafting a narrative around Mufasa and Scar felt like venturing in a direction contrasting to the familiar tales we’ve come to know from “The Lion King.
Upon reading the script,” he shared with THR during its world premiere, “I was utterly taken aback by it. My understanding of Mufasa and Scar had been completely flipped, and the placement of the songs became crystal clear to me. The Lion King is cherished by countless individuals, including myself, so I felt compelled to do justice to it.
He mentioned that the aspect he enjoyed the most while composing music for the prequel was delving into the part that the audience isn’t familiar with: “This is a tale about two brothers who have deep affection, but how do we transition from that to the point where we encounter Mufasa and Scar as seen in the original?
Additionally appealing to Miranda was the prospect of collaborating with director Barry Jenkins, whom he referred to as “one of our exceptional filmmakers.” He expressed gratitude for being chosen to work with him.
Lin-Manuel Miranda explains his approach to crafting the music for the soundtrack of #Mufasa, which honors the legacy of #TheLionKing.
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 10, 2024
During an interview with THR prior to the Mufasa premiere, Jenkins and Miranda reminisced about James Earl Jones, who lent his voice to the character in the original animated movie and the 2019 live-action version of The Lion King (the prequel starts with a tribute to him).
Jenkins spoke about growing up admiring the late icon while navigating Hollywood as a Black individual. Although he hadn’t worked with him on a specific project before, their brief encounter was impactful. When the icon passed away, it was clear who had left a significant void in Jenkins’ life. Since this character served as a surrogate father figure for him, it felt fitting to pay tribute to the icon through his work.
Jones’ fame reached far beyond the movie screen, stretching all the way to Broadway where he enjoyed an impressive career too. Miranda reminisced about watching him perform on multiple occasions and even had a brief encounter with him in Washington, D.C.
One of the days that stands out most in my memory occurred back in 2008 when I had the chance to perform a song from Hamilton at the White House. That morning began with sharing a van ride to the White House with the legendary James Earl Jones. As I looked back on the day, even if it ended there, it would have been the best day of my life already. He was absolutely incredible.” (Paraphrased)
Jenkins likewise reminisced about the times when Blue Ivy Carter enacted her roles in Mufasa, and how Beyoncé granted them autonomy during their stints as director and performer.
He remarked, “She acted like a mother, choosing to stay back and observe as Blue delivered her acts.” It was truly heartwarming to witness the sense of pride she exuded, and I must add that it can be quite daunting when your mom is essentially everything – the sun, the moon, and the stars. However, Beyoncé deserves immense praise for ensuring that this wasn’t an issue during their working days together. It was a delightful experience to observe.
Mufasa: The Lion King hits theaters Dec. 20.
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2024-12-11 00:25