Alan Menken News & Discussion

[D82]

During the Lasseter reign, it was Kristin and Bobby Lopez who were writing a (deleted) song for the first Wreck-It Ralph. And now Lasseter is gone for good, Alan has suddenly returned to WDAS. Plus, it's no coincidence that Rich met Alan during John's "leave."

And people here were trying to convince me that it was all just a coincidence. The minute Lasseter left, Menken worked with WDAS again and on a movie that's not even a musical. This scene (and song) was not initially planned; it got added after Lasseter was ousted.

I was one of the people who thought that couldn't be possible, but now after this and after knowing how Lasseter really was, I think it's very likely that was the case. And though less probable, I think it could also be possible it was Alan who didn't want to work at WDAS as long as Lasseter was there (after a bad experience working on Tangled, for example).

I always thought Lasseter was responsible for Musker "retiring," too

But, didn't he leave Disney after the Lasseter scandal?

[Farerb]

I always thought Lasseter was responsible for Musker "retiring," too

But, didn't he leave Disney after the Lasseter scandal?

Yes, he did.

[Disney's Divinity]

I looked back at the threads where the news were posted. Musker retired March 19th and Lasseter was finally given the boot June 8th (although he is still working as a "consultant" through the end of this year). Moreover, Moana was put in advance a long time ago. I still believe they were told to expect it would be their last at the studio when Lasseter was running things.

[estefan]

Chris Sanders is currently directing a live-action adaptation of "Call of the Wild" at 20th Century Fox, which is set to hit theatres next Christmas...and by that point, Fox will be under Disney's ownership. So, technically, Sanders will be back working at Disney if he continues making movies for Fox.

[D82]

I looked back at the threads where the news were posted. Musker retired March 19th and Lasseter was finally given the boot June 8th (although he is still working as a "consultant" through the end of this year).

Yes, Musker retired from Disney before Lasseter was ousted, but after the allegations against him and during his leave of absence. If he'd really wanted to continue at Disney, he could've waited a bit more to see what would happen to Lasseter. That said, the years under Lasseter may have contributed to his decision of leaving the studio.

Moreover, Moana was put in advance a long time ago. I still believe they were told to expect it would be their last at the studio when Lasseter was running things.

That could be true. I remember Musker and Clements mentioned in interviews during Moana's promotion that it could be their last film as directors. They said that making an animated film involved a lot of work and that they weren't sure they wanted to go through that again at that point of their careers. I've tried to find the interview, but I haven't managed to do it. It could've been the truth or just an excuse they had to give.

[Sotiris]

Alan Menken has been nominated for two Annie Awards! He hadn't been nominated for an Annie in 22 years! His last nomination was for The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Music in an Animated Feature Production
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Composer: Henry Jackman
Composer: Alan Menken
Lyricist: Phil Johnston
Lyricist: Tom MacDougall
Composer/Lyricist: Dan Reynolds

Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Tangled: The Series
Episode: Secret of the Sun Drop
Walt Disney Television Animation
Composer: Alan Menken
Lyricist: Glenn Slater
Composer: Kevin Kliesch

[Disney's Divinity]

I wonder how much has shifted behind-the-scenes at Disney regarding Menken. Perhaps they might actually help him win an Emmy now (unlike how they treated him when he had a chance with Galavant a couple years ago). Hopefully he has a project lined up with that mind.

[D82]

Alan Menken has been nominated for two Annie Awards! He hadn't been nominated for an Annie in 22 years! His last nomination was for The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

I'm so glad for him. And a double nomination! I can't believe they hadn't nominated him since 1996!

I wonder how much has shifted behind-the-scenes at Disney regarding Menken. Perhaps they might actually help him win an Emmy now (unlike how they treated him when he had a chance with Galavant a couple years ago). Hopefully he has a project lined up with that mind.

I hope so.

[disneyprincess11]

A terrific article about Alan Menken!

https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/14/alan-m ... an-menken/

[Sotiris]

A terrific article about Alan Menken!

Thanks for sharing! It was indeed a great interview. He's such a kind and gracious soul.

[Sotiris]

Alan Menken and Glenn Slater are working on a puppet TV show for The Jim Henson Company. Galavant alumni John Hoberg and Kat Likkel are also working on it probably as writers and exec. producers.

https://twitter.com/HeidiHidyHoberg/sta ... 5183285248
https://twitter.com/HeidiHidyHoberg/sta ... 6217381888

[Kyle]

It could be for the new Muppet Show. Supposedly that's coming back.

[Sotiris]

It could be but the fact he tagged The Jim Henson Company instead of The Muppets Studio makes me believe this project isn't for Disney.

[D82]

Alan Menken has been nominated for two Annie Awards! He hadn't been nominated for an Annie in 22 years! His last nomination was for The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Music in an Animated Feature Production
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Composer: Henry Jackman
Composer: Alan Menken
Lyricist: Phil Johnston
Lyricist: Tom MacDougall
Composer/Lyricist: Dan Reynolds

Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Tangled: The Series
Episode: Secret of the Sun Drop
Walt Disney Television Animation
Composer: Alan Menken
Lyricist: Glenn Slater
Composer: Kevin Kliesch

It's a shame he didn't win in any of the two categories. Well, at least Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure received an award. I don't know why they love the new Mickey Mouse shorts so much. The series won the same three awards they got last year. I've only watched a few episodes, because I don't like that kind of humor much, but I didn't find them that good.

[Sotiris]

I was disappointed too. I fully agree with you about the Mickey shorts. I don't get it either.

[Sotiris]

Alan revealed that his favorite Disney movie is Fantasia and his favorite Disney song is "The Second Star to the Right".

My favorite movie was Fantasia. It had such an impact on me because it was the interface between visual and story and music. And that just stuck with me. After that, I always attached visuals to music. Somehow, I think it had an effect on where I went with my writing and my composing.

You know, I remember "The Second Star to the Right" from Peter Pan. [starts singing it.] Magical.

Source: https://twitter.com/sotiris2006/status/ ... 3500917760

[D82]

Really interesting. Both are good choices. It makes sense he would be drawn to Fantasia, given that he's a composer. And it's interesting to know it had such a big impact on him and on his work. I really like "The Second Star to the Right" too. It's not one my top favorite Disney songs, but it's probably my favorite from Peter Pan.

[Disney's Divinity]

It's always interesting to find out what a person involved with Disney's history of Disney is. Fantasia makes sense for someone musically-inlined, like you said D82.

[Jäger-Rose]

I was lucky enough to do a short interview with Alan while he was in Berlin, Germany for the premiere of Aladdin.
I asked him about the Hercules musical coming to NYC and why "Proud of your Boy" is missing from the new Aladdin movie.

The interview starts at 8:50 (all before and after that part is German).
Speaking of that I am extremely sorry about my English in this video. That was both my accent and all the nervosity of meeting and interview ALAN MENKEN!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5234c6KTy4k[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5234c6KTy4k&t=8m50s

[Sotiris]

You got to meet Alan! I'm so happy for you! Your English was perfect, by the way. It didn't come through you were nervous or anything.