Acclaimed songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda might be credited as a producer and songwriter on the upcoming The Little Mermaid live action remake, but he has since revealed he appointed himself a far more important role on set.
Miranda, who grew up as a huge fan of the 1989 classic Disney animated film, appointed himself the Chairman of the 'Don't F**k It Up' committee.
In an interview with Empire Magazine, the famed Hamilton creator detailed what it took to get him to sign on to the project.
"I said, ‘I will sign on as a producer. But really the hat I’m wearing is Chairman of the ‘Don’t F**k It Up’ committee,” he told Empire.
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"And I will weigh in when I think you’re f**kin’ it up!"
Miranda has worked with Disney before, creating music for modern animated classics including Moana and Encanto.
As for a remake, most songwriters would want to add their own flair to a modernised re-telling of a story fans know and love.
But not Miranda.
In fact, he aimed to do quite the opposite.
Miranda, 43, was more than happy to help the team update lyrics or even create new songs for The Little Mermaid, but only if they were needed.
What was more important to him was protecting the integrity of the original 1989 film.
"I said, ‘Happy to write new lyrics if they need them. And if they don’t, I won’t'," Miranda told Empire.
"I do not want to shoehorn [in] a song that no-one wants to sit through, because they want to get to ‘Under The Sea’ already.
"I’m that person! 'GET ON WITH 'UNDER THE SEA!'"
That being said, Miranda has written a few new tracks for the modernised retelling of Ariel and her greatest adventure.
Miranda penned 'For The First Time', performed by Ariel actor Halle Bailey in the film.
He also wrote 'Wild Uncharted Waters' for Prince Eric, who will be plaued by Jonah Hauer-King and ‘Scuttlebutt’ for Awkwafina’s character Scuttle.
Miranda's confession about his self-appointed role on set comes shortly after composer Alan Menken explained to Vanity Fair the reason behind some lyric changes for the film.
Famous tracks such as 'Kiss the Girl' and 'Poor Unfortunate Souls' have now been altered slightly to emit a more modernized outlook for the film.
"There are some song changes in 'Kiss the Girl' because people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel]," Menken said.
Well, at least we now have peace of mind that no one f**ked it up.
The Little Mermaid drops in cinemas on 25 May 2023.
Topics: Disney, Music, Film and TV, Entertainment
Rachel Lang