Lin-Manuel Mirandais promising the new songs featured in Disney’s live-action version ofThe Little Mermaidwon’t replace any of the classics.
The 42-year-old actor, who is collaborating with composerAlan Menkenon the film, opened up about the songs that will be featured in the forthcoming remake during a conversation onVariety’s Awards Circuit podcast.
“Alan will tell you if he does not like something,” Miranda said of Menken, 72. “He’s a very like heart and opinion on sleeve guy. … He’s scoring it as well, along with the songs, just as he did with the original.”
Noting that he “won’t see a rough cut for another month or a couple of months,” Miranda said Menken’s own excitement makes him excited to see the film.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda.Astrid Stawiarz/Getty/Disney
“We wrote three or four original tunes, replacing none of the ones you like. All of those are in,” Miranda added toVarietyof the classic songs, including “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World.”
“There’s no biggerLittle Mermaidfan than me,” he added. “… But we found a couple of opportunities for some other music that I can’t wait to see. I’m in the dark as anyone else, honestly.”
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Of the new songs, Miranda said thatHalle Bailey’s Ariel will sing a track in the second half of the film when she loses her voice and becomes a human.
“[Director] Rob [Marshall] found a creative way to hear from Ariel, even though she is sans voice for a little while. We wrote some music [for] her time on land. She experiences a lot of firsts, as someone with legs for the first time, so we got to lean into all of that musically,” Miranda explained.
As for other original tunes, Miranda told the outlet that viewers shouldn’t expect anything new fromMelissa McCarthy’s Ursula, though he didn’t rule out that hisHamiltoncostar Daveed Diggs would rap as Sebastian.
RELATED VIDEO: Daveed Diggs on Playing Sebastian in the NewLittle Mermaid
Disneyannouncedin July 2019 that Bailey — one half of the musical sister duoChloe x Halle— would be taking on the role of Ariel.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” director Marshall, 61, said in a statement at the time.
The forthcoming film also stars other big names in Hollywood, includingJavier Bardemas King Triton, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric,Jacob Tremblayas Flounder, andAwkwafinaas Scuttle.
source: people.com
