News & Press Releases

“Muppets Most Wanted” Soundtrack to Make Mayhem March 18

Published

10 years ago

February 28, 2014

Walt Disney Records’ Release to Feature Vocals by Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais,
Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Miss Piggy, Josh Groban, Constantine, Celine Dion and More

BURBANK, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2014) – The Muppets are back on the big screen with the all-new caper “Muppets Most Wanted,” creating the musical mayhem that’s made them fan favorites for almost four decades. With songs by Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar® for the original song “Man or Muppet” in 2011’s “The Muppets,” and a score by Christophe Beck, who’s behind the scores of Disney’s Oscar-winning short “Paperman” and the Golden Globe®-winning, Oscar-nominated hit “Frozen,” the soundtrack features all-star vocalists, including Kermit the Frog, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Miss Piggy, Josh Groban, Constantine and Celine Dion. Walt Disney Records will release the “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack March 18, three days before the movie hits theaters.

“The ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ soundtrack is some of the best music by a frog, pig, bear, chickens, penguins and a-uh, whatever-ever recorded,” said Kermit the Frog. “It’s like going on tour with the Muppets, but without the messy cleanup afterwards.”

According to McKenzie, who wrote songs for the Muppets’ last big-screen adventure, the songs are true to the Muppets’ musical reputation: they’re packed with puns, punch lines and Muppets mayhem. “All of the songs are quite story specific,” he said. “They’re very character driven.

“‘I’m Number One’ is about the bad frog Constantine being the number one criminal and his sidekick Dominic, played by Ricky Gervais, being number two,” McKenzie continued. “It’s a power struggle, a classic rivalry song in a style that could be performed in a cabaret venue. A lot of the old Muppets songs are like that-show pieces.”

The soundtrack features a host of show pieces, including the fully orchestrated “We’re Doing a Sequel,” with special appearances by Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, along with the whole Muppets gang, and “Something So Right,” a ballad written for Miss Piggy and celebrated performer Celine Dion. “Miss Piggy is wonderful,” said Dion. “She’s so charming and sensitive and filled with passion. She has a big heart and it was wonderful to sing with her.” “I was magnifique,” added Miss Piggy, “With a little help from moi, I think Celine may have a big future in singing.”

The soundtrack also includes “Interrogation Song,” featuring Ty Burrell, Sam Eagle and the Muppets. It’s what McKenzie calls “a conversation put to music,” and actually started out as dialogue from the film. Additionally, Tina Fey, who plays feisty prison guard Nadya, takes center stage-complete with Russian accent-with the renowned Josh Groban in “The Big House.”

The “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack features 20 tracks-including 12 new recordings-plus five bonus tracks. Also featured is score by Beck, who incorporated styles from around the world in a nod to the international locales the Muppets visit in the film. “This score was incredibly fun to write,” said Beck. “With characters spread across the world, there was opportunity after opportunity to explore many musical styles and settings.”

Beck introduced several character themes-Constantine has a Slavic theme, for example, and Kermit and Miss Piggy are accompanied by a love theme (of course) that is an extension of music from “The Muppets.” An 80-piece orchestra was sprinkled with unique instruments, including a banjo, Spanish guitar and a Russian Balalaika. “The real fun was the 20-person Russian male chorus, which is heavily featured,” said Beck.

Following is the final track list for Walt Disney Record’s “Muppets Most Wanted” soundtrack. Preorder is now available at both iTunes (http://smarturl.it/mmwa1) and Amazon (The Muppets Most Wanted
).

1. “They’ve Ordered a Sequel”* Walter, Statler and Waldorf
2. We’re Doing a Sequel The Muppets with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett
3. “My Name First_ _ _ Your Name”* Constantine and Ricky Gervais
4. “I’m Number One” Constantine and Ricky Gervais
5. “The Casa Grande”* Kermit, Tina Fey, Jemaine Clement, Danny Trejo and Ray Liotta
6. “The Big House Tina Fey with Josh Groban
7. “Stick with Me”* Constantine and Miss Piggy
8. “I’ll Get You What You Want” (Cockatoo in Malibu) Constantine
9. “The Muppet Show Theme” Los Muppets
10. “Answer Some Questions”* Ty Burrell
11. Interrogation Song Ty Burrell, Sam Eagle and The Muppets
12. “Oh Foo Foo, It’s Always Been a Fight”* Miss Piggy and Foo Foo
13. “Something So Right” Miss Piggy, Kermit, Celine Dion and The Muppets
14. “We’re Goin’ Underground”* Kermit
15. “Working in the Coal Mine” Jemaine Clement
16. “The Gulag Finale”* Kermit
17. “Together Again” The Muppets with Josh Groban
18. “Moves Like Jagger” Scooter and the Penguins featuring Pepé the King Prawn
19. “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Remix) Miss Piggy and The Flamingos
20. “Muppets Most Wanted Score Suite” Christophe Beck

BONUS TRACKS:
1.    “We’re Doing a Sequel” Demo Bret McKenzie
2.    “The Big House” Demo Bret McKenzie
3.    “What You Want” Outtake Bret McKenzie
4.    “I’ll Get You What You Want” (Cockatoo in Malibu) Demo Bret McKenzie
5.    “Something So Right” Demo Bret McKenzie

* Dialog Track

News & Press Releases

Disney Will Bring D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California in August 2024

Published

10 hours ago

September 9, 2023

Nancy Stadler

Expanded Disney Fan Experience Will Feature New and Exciting Events Across Multiple Locations, Including a D23 Takeover of the Happiest Place On Earth, Evening Entertainment at the Honda Center, D23 Day at Angel Stadium, and Much More

Fan Favorites Including Exhibits, Panels, Shows, and Shopping Will Dazzle Disney Enthusiasts at the Anaheim Convention Center

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more!

Highlightswill include:

Sunday, August 4: D23 Day at Angel Stadium, where D23 fans are invited to attend the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets game.
Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort.
Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, with the fun extending into the evening at the Honda Center, the bigger home to marquee shows.

Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in Spring 2024, with ticketing options to be announced later for access to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Admission for D23 Day at Angel Stadium and the D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort will be available as separate ticketed events. Additional details for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be announced in early 2024.

You can get updates by staying connected to D23 via social media (@DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X), D23.com, and our weekly D23 FanFare email (sign up for free as a D23 General Member at JoinD23.com).

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

News & Press Releases

Star Wars Spoof: Space Robots in Outer Space Ep X: Battle for the Halcyon: The Last Starcruiser

Published

4 months ago

May 4, 2023

Jim Hill

Sure, Star Wars is cool and all. But let’s not forget about that other multi-part sci-fi cinematic spectacular, “Space Robots in Outer Space.” In fact, Hank Lonely (Hollywood’s ultimate hyphenate — actor / producer / director / writer / guy who makes sure the Porto Potties are kept squeaky-clean) just announced that there’ll soon be a 10th installment of this … Well, not exactly beloved. How about we say “admired from afar” instead? … series coming to a theater near you. In fact, here’s the highly anticipated teaser trailer for that project. Which is supposed to be titled “Space Robots in Outer Space X — Battle for the Halycon: The Last Starcruiser.”

Okay. Now the real story … In honor of Star Wars Day (i.e., May 4th. As in “May the Fourth Be With You”), Len Testa and I are sharing something that we produced with the help of all the nice folks who joined us last month aboard the Halycon.

We turned the Galactic Starcruiser as well as Black Spire Outpost into the backdrop for an affectionate send-up of all things Stars Wars. We hope that you (more importantly, the legal team at Lucasfilm) take this faux trailer in the spirit with which it was intended. Special thanks to Aaron Adams for so skillfully stitching all of this footage together. Also thanks to the team at Storybook Destinations, Touring Plans and the talented cast & crew aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” for making this “Disney Dish” fan event so memorable.

News & Press Releases

Disney’s New Trailer Reveals How Ralph & Vanellope Get to the Internet in “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2018

Jim Hill

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well.

The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind “Wreck-It Ralph.” The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and co-writer Phil Johnston partnered with fellow director Byron Howard and co-writer/co-director Jared Bush to create the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster feature “Zootopia.”

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,” Vanellope von Schweetz-along with her best friend Ralph-ventures into the uncharted world of the internet. When she finds herself surrounded by Disney princesses, she’s surprised to learn that she actually has a lot in common with them. The scene, highlighted in a new trailer for the film (below), features several of the original princess voices, including Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). Featuring Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 21, 2018.