Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney seem to have formed a beautiful and successful friendship in recent years. Amidst the craze for the playwright's Broadway smash hit Hamilton, Miranda got into the movies by co-writing the music for 2016’s Moana and recent starring as Jack the Lamplighter in Mary Poppins Returns. So, what’s next for Disney and Miranda? Here’s what his father, Luis, recently said:
He is talking to Disney about a sequel to Moana, but the movie would be about a Latina princess.
Wait, let’s back up… Luis A. Miranda Jr. seems to be pitching two different movies to Page Six from his immensely talented son: a sequel to Moana and a new Disney Princess story starring a Latina heroine. Which is it? It seems likely Lin-Manuel Miranda’s father’s words could mean Lin is in talks with Disney to co-write an animated musical starring a young Latina princess to follow up his work with them on Moana.
“In talks” being the key word here, folks. Disney has yet to confirme the development of another animated project with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s name next to it.
The addition of a Latina Disney Princess wouldn’t be a surprise though, since the company has made it a priority to introduce more heroines with diverse cultural backgrounds in recent years, with 2009’s The Princess Frog’s addition of Tiana and Moana’s Polynesian roots.
Since Lin-Manuel Miranda is now an established collaborator with Disney Animation and of Puerto Rican descent, he might be the right guy to work on a script for the studio’s first Latina main character. Because music writing is his specialty, this is where Disney would likely place him, but who knows? He could also be given free rein on writing credits too or even with voice work, considering his talent.
Lin-Manuel Miranda already has a few exciting musical projects in the works. An adaptation to his Broadway musical In the Heights is currently in production, with Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu directing and set to be released in summer 2020. The original musical revolves around the Hispanic community in Washington Heights in New York City, where Miranda grew up himself.
Additionally, Lin-Manuel Miranda is involved in the music for Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid musical alongside original composer Alan Menken and Mary Poppins Returns director Rob Marshall at the helm. If Little Mermaid follows in the footsteps of Disney’s other remakes from its Renaissance Era, Miranda could be on board to write a couple new songs beside favorites such as “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea."
I’d love to see Lin-Manuel Miranda try his hand at another original Disney animated musical starring a Latina heroine and now I’m thinking about how great a Moana sequel could be too. Stay tuned with CinemaBlend as we hear more about what Disney has in store next.
