Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Soundtrack for Mufasa: The Lion King

Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for creating the hit musical Hamilton and writing music for the animated films Moana, Vivo, and Encanto, is now working on the soundtrack for Disney's upcoming live-action prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King. Alongside him is Robert Lopez, co-creator of The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, who has also teamed with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez on songs for Disney's Frozen and Coco.

Interestingly, both Miranda and Lopez share a childhood connection—they had the same sixth-grade music teacher, Barbara Ames, at Hunter College Elementary School in Manhattan. This raises the question: what made her such an influential figure in their lives?

When I discuss his musical journey with Miranda, I mention Miss Ames, and he lights up with enthusiasm. "Barbara Ames was one of the biggest sources of love in elementary school," he recalls. At her music class, students sang for half an hour, surrounded by musicals like Into the Woods, which she proudly displayed by her piano.

Miranda fondly remembers how Mrs. Ames and Mr. Sherman, another teacher, collaborated on an annual sixth-grade play. "She would write new parts and songs for students when there were more kids than roles," he explains, laughing at the memory of the inclusive environment she fostered. "She ignored the rules about licensing and made it possible for every child to have a moment on stage, even if it meant creating new songs for them."

Miranda's sixth-grade experience was rich with musical theatre. "They ran out of appropriate musicals, so we created 20-minute versions of the past six years. It was a ‘lethal dosage’ of musical theatre, and I got to be part of classics like Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, and Peter Pan," he shares. The joy from those formative moments is something he still seeks today.

We transition from memories of theatre to the essence of music itself. Miranda references William Shakespeare's inquiry on music's mysterious impact: "Is it not strange that sheep’s guts could hail souls out of men’s bodies?" He contemplates how music resonates deeply within us, often leaving an indelible mark.

Reflecting on his craft, Miranda quotes a close friend, the renowned composer John Kander. "I've made a living making music, and I've never been able to hold it, or touch it, or taste it...and yet, when I sit at the piano, my hands know what to do," Miranda shares, illustrating the profound connection between composers and music.

He emphasizes the important role of emotional triggers in film music. Just like pop music, scores are crafted to elicit specific feelings. Miranda notes, "You are your own first audience; you need to feel something genuine before you can expect anyone else to feel it." This belief shapes how he approaches songwriting for Mufasa.

For this film, the song featured in the trailer, "I Always Wanted a Brother," emerged from a simple groove infused with a unique melody. "Surprising yourself often leads to finding the right sound for your story," he observes.

Before composing for Moana, Miranda immersed himself in Pacific Island music, similar to his approach for Encanto which drew on Colombian and Puerto Rican influences. However, Mufasa presents a new challenge. As a prequel to an already beloved animated film, Miranda aims to create music that serves the established musical language set by Elton John and Tim Rice and the score by Hans Zimmer.

The narrative of The Lion King itself is layered, focusing on intense themes such as betrayal and loss. This deep emotional impact has made the film memorable for audiences of all ages. Director Barry Jenkins notes that while the story involves heavy topics, Disney masterfully engages families and helps them process complex emotions together.

Mufasa: The Lion King picks up from where the 2019 remake left off, this time exploring the backstory of Mufasa and Taka (later known as Scar). The film features Aaron Pierre voicing Mufasa, a significant role connected to the legendary James Earl Jones, who passed away recently but left a powerful legacy.

Jenkins encouraged Pierre to bring his interpretation to the role, suggesting he find his path without being overshadowed by Jones’ iconic portrayal. He emphasized that while Jones' representation lingered, Pierre should focus on making Mufasa authentic to the prequel’s story about a wisdom gained through life experiences.

Mufasa: The Lion King is set for release in cinemas on December 19.

Music, Disney, Miranda