Ten Questions with Lin-Manuel Miranda

As a seasoned cinephile who’s seen his fair share of blockbusters and indie gems alike, I can confidently say that Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s latest project, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” is not to be missed. With an impressive resume that includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton, the enchanting Moana, and the captivating Encanto, Miranda has proven himself a master of musical storytelling.

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44-year-old Lin-Manuel Miranda, a multi-talented individual known for his songwriting, playwriting, acting, and directing, has amassed numerous awards. His groundbreaking stage musical Hamilton, as well as his compositions for Disney films Moana and Encanto, have earned him a Pulitzer Prize, two Oliviers, two Emmys, three Tonys, five Grammys, and two Oscar nominations. Currently, he’s using his musical skills to work on Barry Jenkins’s live-action Lion King prequel titled Mufasa: The Lion King.

How old were you when you started composing?

As a contributor to the soundtracks, I’ve had the privilege of working on movies like Moana, Encanto, and last year’s live-action Little Mermaid. Each project offers a unique experience in its own right.

During my interview for the role of composing music for Moana, which was already a few years into development, Hamilton wasn’t present. I consider myself fortunate to have landed the position. For Encanto, I was part of the team from the start. We pooled our family stories together and what emerged was Encanto. With Mufasa, the script was already well-written, so my focus was on figuring out how I could best assist Barry in telling his story.

1994’s “The Lion King” showcased songs like “Circle of Life”, “Be Prepared”, “Hakuna Matata”, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. How does one pay tribute to the masterpieces of Sirs Elton John and Tim Rice on the savannah?

If we were discussing sequels without considering the 2019 remake, I’d firmly decline! Everything is fantastic, it’s flawless. However, what truly astounds me is the expansive universe of The Lion King, especially the Broadway musical – to me, The Lion King represents a unique genre of music.

Can you give us a taste of one of your new songs for Mufasa?

In the tale, Mufasa’s confidant Taka reveals: “I harbor a secret – I’ve always yearned for a brother.” This struck me as an excellent idea for a tune! As a father of two sons, this sentiment was unfamiliar to me in music. It was intriguing to depict Mufasa and Scar [who is later known as Taka], not as the adversaries we recognize from the 1994 movie, but as brothers and closest companions instead.

What do your boys Sebastian (ten) and Francisco (six) think of the films you’ve worked on?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, the magic of films is deeply intertwined with my personal memories. On the very day I landed the job for “Moana,” an unforgettable moment, we discovered we were expecting our firstborn child. The unique circumstances surrounding the creation of “Encanto” during lockdown, a time when I was crafting its stories, have made it a special favorite among my youngest son. Hearing him hum my songs without my presence lets me know that I’ve struck a chord – both literally and figuratively!

Did you watch Disney films as a kid yourself?

I’m still holding onto a VHS copy of “The Little Mermaid.” The moment the lively Caribbean tune “Under the Sea” began playing underwater was when my imagination sparked more than ever before.

The test of all my songs is catching my kids singing them without knowing I’m around

In the 2018 movie “Mary Poppins Returns,” you worked on perfecting a Cockney accent by tuning in to traditional British music-hall performances. Do you recall any specific tunes or acts from that time?

I remember Tommy Steele! But listen, when it came to Mary Poppins, I knew Dick Van Dyke had a famously derided accent. So I thought, “Either I’ll jump that bar, which is a very low bar, or I’ll meet him down there and they’ll go: ‘Oh, he has a s*** accent, it’s a tradition!’” I think I landed somewhere in between!

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the vibrant landscapes of Wales, specifically Cardiff, while working on the BBC’s “His Dark Materials”. To be honest, I found my time there utterly enchanting. The blend of modern city life and natural beauty created an environment that was both inspiring and serene. I can’t wait to visit again!

Many of my friends from London often had an elitist attitude towards Wales, but we found it enchanting. At the time, my children were at an age where the frequent castles were quite fascinating. I developed a fondness for a pub called Porter’s, which hosted a music theater event titled “Jane’s Calamity“. There, I gained some local attention by singing karaoke alongside strangers.

Could you share with me the reasoning behind your fresh, hip-hop influenced concept album idea for a musical adaptation of the iconic 1979 gang film “The Warriors”?

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’m drawing inspiration from the British maestro, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who kick-started masterpieces like “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita” as concept albums. When I muse over “Superstar,” I can’t help but recall the powerful voices of artists such as Murray Head, who left an indelible mark on these roles. This means that once the album is released, people clamor for the stage adaptation: “When will we get to see the show?” And then, we find ourselves scrambling to bring that vision to life: “Oh, no! We have to create the stage production!” That’s the dream.

You always seem so optimistic – what helps you keep such a consistently sunny disposition amidst the political turmoil happening in the U.S.?

For approximately ten years, I was deeply engrossed in a popular social media platform known as Twitter (now referred to as X). Three to four years ago, I decided to step away from it, well before Elon Musk began his eccentric posts. Maintaining a positive outlook involves safeguarding your energy, not necessarily ignoring global events. However, it means you don’t have to engage in daily arguments with strangers online, which was something I used to do extensively.

2024-12-03 23:34

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