In relation to making a Disney Animation musical, there’s all the time going to be excessive strain for the songwriters particularly, merely due to the sheer variety of bangers that presumably made the primary film so common. For songwriter duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Moana 2 marked their first time writing for a characteristic movie ever, however from the place I stand, they most positively delivered on a memorable new Disney soundtrack full of emotional callbacks and new melodies. But it surely’s extra work to do that phenomenally than you would possibly guess.
In reality, whereas I spoke with them about one of many greatest 2024 films for CinemaBlend, they shared extra details about their writing course of, and it feels like a complete lot of labor! Once I sat down with the duo greatest recognized for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, I requested them what number of songs they wrote for Moana 2 in whole. Right here’s what Bear needed to say:
Loads. Properly, I’d say full further songs can be like three or 4 full further songs, however inside that, like a whole lot of various variations of these songs, what I imply? We’re most likely on revision like 65 of ‘What Might Be Higher Than This’ or no matter. Perhaps extra full further songs, as a result of we tried, we swung at Maui Track a number of instances earlier than we bought ‘Chee Hoo’.
These two positively spent a number of time collectively making an attempt to get the newest Disney film proper. Whereas there’s been some criticism concerning the sequel dropping Lin-Manuel Miranda (which Barlow and Bear not too long ago had an excellent response to), I do know I haven’t been capable of get the soundtrack out of my head (or my playback) for the reason that film got here out. Whereas six songs of theirs made the ultimate model, Bear threw out a wild quantity when discussing what number of drafts it took for them to get every tune proper. In different phrases, these songs didn’t simply stream out in a single go, they actually pushed themselves to do a number of variations earlier than touchdown on the songs we hear.
Along with the principle six which are a part of Moana 2, Bear additionally shared there have been both three or 4 full further songs that they made for the film that didn’t make it previous the reducing room ground. Makes you marvel what a part of the story they have been about! As Bear thought again to the songwriting course of, the composer and songwriter thought again to Dwayne Johnson’s huge tune “Can I Get A Chee-Hoo?” which they apparently had a number of variations of earlier than discovering the fitting one.
Elsewhere in CinemaBlend’s interview, Barlow and Bear shared the shaggy dog story of what occurred once they shared their tune with The Rock the primary time. They knew the opposite filmmakers have been going to play Johnson the tune sooner or later, however hours handed with out the pair listening to again, in order that they have been satisfied “he hates it.” Nevertheless, as soon as The Rock did eavesdrop on it, he FaceTimed them (with out warning), and so they have been so excited.
Our Moana 2 evaluate form of says what I really feel concerning the present theatrical launch, nevertheless it’s even cooler once I hear these nice BTS tales straight from the individuals concerned. Hopefully, it’s going to improve your theatrical expertise, too.