Latest news with #StrangerThings
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tell Us: What's The Very Best LGBTQ+ TV/Movie Scene?
As you know, we're well into Pride month, so what better time to celebrate the absolute best of queer TV and movies, right?? So, my fellow queer TV/film enthusiasts, I have a very important question for you. What, in your opinion, is the greatest LGBTQ+ TV or movie scene of all time? Whether you think it's expertly written/shot or simply felt that it hit the nail on the head in describing your own queer experience, I want you to tell me alllllll about it, please and thank you. I'll start. I, personally, don't think I'll ever forget this scene between Eric and his dad, Mr. Effiong, in Sex Education: Also, that scene where Robin came out to Steve in Stranger Things? Those aren't tears in my eyes, I swear: Now, it's your turn. In the comments or via the anonymous form below, tell us a) the queer TV/movie scene(s) you think is the absolute best, b) what show or movie it's from, and c) why you think so. Your submissions just might be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post!
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Tudum 2025 recap: All the trailers and release dates you missed for 'Stranger Things,' 'Squid Game,' 'Wednesday' and more
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix's Tudum 2025 event kicked off tonight, May 31 at 8pm Eastern Time (5pm Pacific), streaming live worldwide from a sold-out IRL event at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. And with it came exclusive sneak peaks and starry cast appearances from some of the streaming service's most anticipated titles. We're talking beloved returning series like "Squid Game", "Wednesday" and the final installment of "Stranger Things", as well as high-profile films like Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein", the "Happy Gilmore" sequel and "Wake Up Dead Man", the latest entry into the "Knives Out" universe. As has become tradition at the annual Tudum event, fans got fresh intel like release dates, new trailers, first looks and the latest news on those Netflix properties—along with plenty of surprises, too. (Two words: Lady Gaga!] Tom's Guide chronicled all of the action so you didn't miss a thing — before, during and after the Tudum live event. Check out all of the latest news on your favorite Netflix shows, movies and more. Given that Tudum 2025 is Netflix's biggest live event of the year, the organizers are unsurprisingly pulling out the big names for tonight's fandom fest. Here are a full list of the series and films participating in Tudum 2025: Movies: Frankenstein Happy Gilmore 2 My Oxford Year The Life List The RIP Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Series: America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Season 2) Emily in Paris (Season 5) Forever (Season 1) Ginny & Georgia (Season 3) Love is Blind My Life with the Walter Boys (Season 2) Nobody Wants This (Season 2) ONE PIECE (Season 2) Outer Banks (Season 5) Squid Game (Season 3) Stranger Things (Season 5) Wednesday (Season 2) WWE And as well as major updates and exciting reveals from Netflix's biggest franchises, the global fandom event will include high-energy live performances, with musical headliner Lady Gaga (who has been confirmed to star in the second season of 'Wednesday') and Indian hip-hop sensation Hanumankind taking the stage. The whole proceedings will be hosted by actress Sofia Carson, known to Netflix fans for her roles in "Purple Hearts" and "The Life List". For fans of 'Stranger Things', Tudum 2025 is going to be a must-see event — with the Duffer Brothers' sci-fi juggernaut set to premiere its fifth and final season this year, there's certainly going to be plenty to talk about where the Upside Down is concerned. And given that longtime fans of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will (Noah Schnapps) and the rest of the Hawkins crew still don't have an official release date for the new episodes — nor trailers and clips teasing what's to come in the series' last chapter — excitement is high to see what updates the creators and cast member unveil during tonight's live event. Speaking of updates, a viral audio clip linked to 'Stranger Things' season 5 dropped on May 30 ahead of Netflix's Tudum event, a grainy mix of loud bangs, radio status, muffled voices and other disturbing noises that has generated much speculation among fans about the significance of the eerie sounds therein. Is the cryptic 30-second clip connected to Vecna, the murderous big bad portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower and formerly known as Henry Creel? 'Stranger Things' fans will likely get insights into what that creepy new audio clip is all about during tonight's fandom event, as well as other titillating tidbits that will hopefully hold them over until the fifth and final season of the horror hit premieres on Netflix later this year. Check back here to find out all the latest 'Stranger Things' news coming out of the Tudum 2025 event! Calling all outcasts! 'Wednesday' will return for another season of supernatural adventures this summer in a two-part premiere, with four episodes debuting on August 6 and another four to follow on September 3. Fans of the spooky mystery-comedy — which stars Jenna Ortega as the titular Addams girl — have also already gotten to see a teaser trailer of what's to come for Wednesday, roommate Enid (Emma Myers), frenemy Bianca (Joy Sunday) and the rest of the Nevermore Academy gang. And we already know that there will be several fresh faces joining the main cast this season, including Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter and Noah B. Taylor. And yes, pop icon Lady Gaga is also set to cameo in season 2, though specific details about Mother Monster's role are still under wraps. So, what can we hope for 'Wednesday'-wise from the Tudum 2025 event? Potentially, a new full-length trailer, exciting plot points, behind-the-scenes details, insights on how filming season 2 differed from its predecessor and plenty more gloomy goodness. Stay tuned! Fans of Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' film franchise (which includes 2019's 'Knives Out' and its 2022 sequel 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery') have been waiting with bated breath for a deeper look into the upcoming third title of the murder-mystery movie series, especially after that deliberately vague teaser dropped earlier this week. The mysterious new clip for 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' — which will see Daniel Craig reprise the role of investigator Benoit Blanc, joined by a splashy ensemble that includes Josh O'Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny and Kerry Washington — opens on a gloomy church, with bells ringing louder and louder until the screen cuts to black. The caption reads: 'The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.' It's not a whole lot to go off on, but we'll surely get more extensive reveals during tonight's Tudum event. Maybe the mystery of exactly when fans can watch 'Wake Up Dead Man' on Netflix will get solved! Season five of 'Emily in Paris' sees a lot of change ahead for our titular heroine: Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is switching up her hometown (benvenuti a Roma!), her hot beau (she's now dating Italian cashmere heir Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini) and even her haircut in the fifth installment of the (usually) French-set romantic comedy series. Plus, joining returning favorites like Mindy (Ashley Park), Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), we'll also have some new character to meet in season 5, including Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver as Princess Jane, a friend of Sylvie's who married into a royal family. However, 'Emily in Paris' fans are still missing key points of intel regarding the upcoming fifth season, including the official release date, a full-length trailer and some fun Italian production stills. Here's hoping there's plenty of la dolce vita to go around during the 'Emily in Paris' segment of Netflix Tudum 2025. Get ready for more hilarious hijinks on the golf green — "Happy Gilmore" is back in a soon-to-come sequel, which is scheduled to hit Netflix on July 25, 2025. Along with a set release date, fans of the original sports comedy (which sees Adam Sandler play a titular hockey player-turned-competitive golfer) also already got to see a full-length teaser trailer for 'Happy Gilmore 2', which will have Sandler reunite on screen with several O.G. cast members, including Julie Bowen as Happy's longtime love Virginia Venit and Christopher McDonald as his golf nemesis Shooter McGavin. Those familiar faces will be joined by franchise newcomers including Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller, Travis Kelce and Sandler's own daughters Sadie and Sunny, along with IRL professional golfers like Jordan Spieth and Jack Nicklaus. Given how much of a fan-favorite the 1996 comedy is, we're sure that some special insights about the long-awaited sequel film will tee off tonight during the live Netflix event. It's been a good time as of late to be a 'Squid Game' fan — there's been a lot of news dropping recently ahead of the third and, sadly, final season of the South Korean dystopian hit. For one, we know that the new episodes will premiere on Netflix on Friday, June 27, and that season 3 will have six episodes in total, down one from its previous installment. 'Squid Game' fans also got an official teaser of the new season earlier this month, picking up in the aftermath of season 2's bloody cliffhanger: What challenges will Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and Co. face in their struggles to shut down the torturous games for once and for all? Netflix subscribers will likely get to hear even more chilling revelations about exactly how brutal this final chapter of the story will be during the soon-to-start Tudum event. Netflix Tudum 2025 is kicking off at 8pm Eastern Time, which means this is your last call for bathroom breaks, snack runs, dog walks and the like. There's a lot to come from the streamer this evening, so sit back and get comfortable — Tom's Guide is here to, well, guide you through all of the Netflix news as it happens live. Let's get into it! Our big show opening sees host Sofia Carson parody her recent Netflix hit "The Life List", as she ticks off several bucket-list activities like dancing "like Nicole Kidman is watching" and saving the world from an explosive suitcase à la Taron Egerton in "Carry-On". However, her on-screen mom Connie Briton reminds her that she still has one item left on her list: "Fly!" Thus, Carson does her best "Mission Impossible" and descends from the ceiling of the Tudum 2025 ceremonies dressed in a tuxedo. "Tonight is for you, because this is the place where the biggest stars on Netflix get to connect with you!" our host announces to the excited studio audience, citing A-listers like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jenna Ortega, Lady Gaga and more among the evening's high-profile attendees. Let the show officially begin! After Hanumankind performed alongside the show's signature pink guards, the cast of "Squid Game" (led by Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun) took to the stage to tease the upcoming final installment of the South Korean sensation. "This huge reaction is so amazing, we're so happy to see all of you in one place," Byung-hun announced. And though Lee Jung-jae, who plays Player 456 in the series, nearly slipped up with a spoiler ("I'm not saying anything else!"), the actors did give some fresh details, including a brand-new trailer that looks like Gi-hun will be put through the ringer in the new episodes. "Why didn't you kill me? Why did you keep me alive?" we see him roaring to guards. Along with flashes of bloody corpses, jump rope games and murderous dolls, the trailer spotlights a final showdown between Gi-hun and Front Man, with the former bloodied and dressed in a tuxedo. Check out the new clip below! "I love a good surprise," director Rian Johnson takes the stage to begin the "Wake Up Dead Man" segment. "We strive to keep the audience guessing, so just when you think you have it figured it, something comes along that you weren't expecting". Enter Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, a T-shirt gun-wielding Kerry Washington, a double T-shirt gun-wielding Jeremy Renner and seven-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close, who calls in from her car to tell everyone that she's actually "eight-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close". But that's not all: "Daniel Craig was supposed to be doing these lines and he couldn't be here," Johnson announces, before the man himself comes out to announce an exclusive sneak peek of the movie. In the new teaser, we see Craig and Josh O'Conner in a church, with Mila Kunis as law enforcement investigation a crime. "This is the holy grail," Craig's Benoit declares. "This was dressed as a miracle It's just a murder And I solve murders". We'll see how it all plays out when "Wake Up Dead Man" premieres on Netflix on December 12, 2025! Netflix Tudum 2025 is the first time the event is being held in the United States (taking place in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum) and streamed live on Netflix. And to celebrate, the streamer brought out the stars of some of its biggest and most beloved titles, including "Ginny & Georgia", "Outer Banks", "Forever" and "My Life with the Walter Boys". Led by lead Pogue Chase Stokes, the actors all came together sweetly for a "class photo" to commemorate the momentous occasion. "One Piece" fans got a sweet look back at adventures past during the Netflix Tudum 2025 event, as well as exciting peeks on all of the "big" things to expect next. And that includes an adorable introduction to Tony Tony Chopper, who will be voiced in the new season by Mikaela Hoover. "The biggest thing we get to tell you: you know what's up, the crew gets a little bigger this season", actor Iñaki Godoy teased to the screaming audience "And we get to introduce you to him right now. The reindeer you always wanted: Tony Tony Chopper." After a cookie-filled cameo from The Cookie Monster, big-screen best buddies Ben Affleck and Matt Damon rose from the Netflix "N" to crowd cheers and lots of iPhone-camera flashing to introduce their new crime drama "The Rip", which if coming to the streamer on January 16, 2027. Joined by fellow "The Rip" castmates Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor and Catalina Sandino Moreno, the actors explain that a "rip" is something you pull from a crime scene. In the film's case, it's cash, and a lot of it. And speaking of ripping, the famous buds hilariously ripped into each other during the presentation of a never-before-seen clip of the upcoming film (alas, Netflix hasn't published the video online), which channels some of their favorite movies, including "Heat" and "Training Day". "Ben would turn on all of these guys for a cookie," Matt quipped, with Affleck biting back about his bushy-bearded pal: "I trusted Matt would shave the beard before Tudum but here we are!" If there's anyone we trust to bring an excellently spooky "Frankenstein" adaptation to the big screen, it's Guillermo del Toro! With her fifth movie set for Netflix, we're officially entering the "Sarah Carson Universe" — the Netflix Tudum 2025 host will next be seen in the romantic title "My Oxford Year" for the streamer. And keeping with the tradition of having a hunky co-star (Carson cutely name-dropped Taron, Nicholas, Wolfgang and Kyle), the actress announced that she will be joined by "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" heartthrob Corey Mylchreest, who showed up alongside Carson onstage to announce that "My Oxford Year" will hit Netflix on August 1, 2025. As anticipated, a fresh full-length trailer for the long-awaited "Happy Gilmore" sequel is officially here, announced by original cast mates Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald during tonight's Tudum showcase. In case you want to immediately feel old, "Stranger Things" actors Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin took to the Tudum stage to share some adorable behind-the-scenes clips from the sci-fi hit's early days. (If you need an IRL marker of how much time has gone by since the first season, lead actress Millie Bobby Brown is an actual married woman at this point.) Gaten Matarazzo, who couldn't be there live at the Tudum event, videoed in to share this one of his favorite on-set memories was filming the graveyard "Dear Billy" scene. Brown also videoed in from "the void" (i.e. the set of "Enola Holmes") to reveal that her own personal fave was the scene where Eleven mind-controls the helicopter in that heart-racing scene in season 4. The final season of "Stranger Things" will be a big one: a three-parter, in fact. Along with a high-octane new teaser, the show's Netflix Tudum 2025 segment revealed the release dates of each installment of the final season: Volume one will drop on November 26 at 5pm PT, volume two on December 25 at 5pm PT and volume three on December 31 at 5pm PT. Consider your holiday plans set! "It's been an eventful summer," Jenna Ortega's character Wednesday Addams announces in the first six minutes of "Wednesday" season 2, which Ortega and the rest of the cast debuted during this evening's Tudum showcase. Proving that the show hasn't lost a drop of its dark humor, the goth teen quickly adds: "I'm tied up in a serial killer's basement." And it looks like that serial killer will be played by none other than "The Sixth Sense" great Haley Joel Osment. Misery loves company, so gather your moodiest pals in excitement for the upcoming season, scheduled to hit Netflix in two parts on August 6 and September 3, respectively. We think you'll enjoy the experience way more than Wednesday enjoys going through airport security lines! The "Wednesday" cast shared the audience's clear excitement about welcoming a very special guest to both the series and the stage: the one and only Lady Gaga, who pulled out her gothic best during a medley of her songs "Zombieboy", "Bloody Mary" and "Abracadabra", along with The Cramp's "Goo Goo Muck" and, of course, "The Addams Family" theme song. Because, honestly, how could you possibly follow up a performance like that?! Stay tuned, though, for further insights on everything that went down tonight during the Netflix Tudum 2025 live event. Sure, we got a quick, silly clip of star Lily Collins (with her pre-season 5 longer locks, mind you) acting as our beloved marketing maven, humorously pitching a new promo campaign for "Stranger Things". But other than that, Netflix Tudum 2025 saw no major updates or announcements regarding "Emily in Paris" season 5. Sacré bleu! Aside from that spirited cameo by "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story" actor Corey Mylchreest, Netflix Tudum 2025 didn't offer much from the "Bridgerton" Cinematic Universe either. However, fans of the Ton can't be too pressed, as we did recently get a fresh teaser trailer for "Bridgerton' season 4" during Netflix's 2025 upfronts earlier this month. 1. "Stranger Things" three-part releaseThe fifth and final season will debut in three volumes, the first on November 26, the second on Christmas Day and the third on New Year's Eve. 2. The official trailer for "Squid Game" season 3Fans of the South Korean series got a sneak peek on all of the bloody action to come in the show's final chapter. 3. The introduction of Tony Tony Chopper on "One Piece"The straw hats crew gave an adorable first look at the live-action series' anticipated newcomer, Tony Tony Chopper, voiced by Mikaela Hoover. 4. An official teaser was unveiled for Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein"Horror lovers can see Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster this November. 5. Speaking of horror, the first six minutes of "Wednesday" season 2 are out!We got to see all of the horrible hijinks Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) gets into in the new season, which sees Haley Joel Osment play a murderous bad guy. 6. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" got a December 12 premiere dateThe release news was announced by the flick's A-list cast, including Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner and Cailee Spaeny. 7. And Ben Affleck and Matt Damon gave a first look at their crime thriller "The Rip"Alas, for now, the clip of the new drama was exclusive to Netflix Tudum 2025 viewers only, and has not yet been made available online. However, Tom's Guide will keep you posted if and when the sneak peek of the January 2026 title hits the internet! While "Nobody Wants This" wasn't part of this year's Tudum event, some exciting news emerged about the second season of the romantic comedy just a day later. At a Netflix For Your Consideration event, the cast revealed that "Nobody Wants This" season will premiere on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
They were 12 when we met them. Now they're 20 and still playing teens; Why the Stranger Things cast growing up feels so weird
When the trailer for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things dropped earlier this month, Millie Bobby Brown , now 21, reflected on a journey millions have witnessed: 'I started when I was 10,' she said. 'I'm now turning 20 years old. Feels very weird.' Fans felt it too. Social media lit up with comments noting how grown-up Brown and her co-stars, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, and Sadie Sink, look, even though their characters are still supposed to be in high school. Also read : Stranger Things: The release date, what to expect, and big updates on Season 6 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kulkas yang belum Terjual dengan Harga Termurah (Lihat harga) Cari Sekarang Why does this bother us so much? For nearly a decade, audiences have watched this group of kids battle monsters, government conspiracies, and puberty. As the characters aged, so did the actors. In many ways, their real-life transformation mirrors the emotional arc of Stranger Things itself, no longer a quirky 80s sci-fi romp, but a darker, more emotionally complex story. Live Events Millie Bobby Brown has publicly called out the scrutiny as 'bullying,' slamming media outlets for shaming her looks and accusing her of aging too fast. 'I grew up in front of the world,' she said. 'People act like I'm supposed to stay frozen in time.' Sadie Sink, who plays Max, shared similar sentiments. 'We're growing up just like everyone else, we just happen to do it on camera,' she told People. Importantly, Stranger Things isn't the first show where adults play teens. From 90210 to Riverdale , it's a long-running Hollywood tradition. Even on Stranger Things, Joe Keery was 23 when he first played Steve Harrington, a 16-year-old. The Duffer Brothers have embraced this reality. Season 5 features a time jump of about a year and a half, allowing the characters to grow alongside the actors. That's not just a practical fix; it adds emotional weight. As the kids face their biggest battle yet, the stakes feel more real because they've grown up. Behind the scenes, the production team is working hard to match the period look with age-appropriate styling, including retro wigs, makeup, and wardrobe choices that subtly 'de-age' the cast without looking unnatural. So yes, the kids are now adults. But that growth isn't a flaw, it's the point. The final season isn't just about fighting Vecna . It's about letting go of childhood, accepting change, and growing up. Just like the rest of us.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Howard Jones announces second gig in Dublin in November
Due to demand, Howard Jones has announced a second show at Helix Dublin for November 25th, 2025. Jones is also performing on November 24th. Tickets for the new date are available now from the venue box office and Ticketmaster. Advertisement It has been 40 years since the release of Jones' 1985 album, Dream into Action, which peaked at #2 in the UK charts and cracked the US Top 10. The album went on to spawn global hit singles, Things Can Only Get Better (which experienced a resurgence after being featured on an episode of Netflix's Stranger Things) and No One is to Blame, as well as Life in One Day and Like to Get to Know You Well. 1985 was also the year Jones performed at Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, alongside such legendary acts as David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Phil Collins. 'That album was written while I was on the road,' Jones said. 'I had a studio set-up in every dressing room where we were playing shows. The excitement of being on the road was infused into those songs.' Advertisement Now, Jones is back performing live. 'I feel really pleased that the songs still resonate today. I've always said, it's up to us to make things happen. There are times when we can no longer be bystanders," he said. 'This is the best job in the world, playing songs that people love, and hopefully leaving them inspired by the lyrics. I've always thought my role was that of a cheerleader as we all struggle with the ups and downs of daily life. "We all need a boost when we are trying to put our dreams into action. At the end of the day, my job is to put on an amazing show, and leave people buzzing with a new energy, ready to deal with whatever life throws our way.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How ‘Elio' Composer Rob Simonsen Married Space Disco, Choir Dolls & Talking Heads to Bring Pixar's Sci-Fi Adventure to Life
As a film and television composer who's worked on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things, Rob Simonsen is no stranger to finding a way to weave pop music into his lush scores. But what he was a stranger to was composing for an animated film — until now. The veteran composer — whose work also includes 2009's 500 Days of Summer, 2018's Love, Simon and 2024's It Ends With Us — will make his animated debut this weekend with Pixar's Elio, which hits theaters on Friday. In addition to Simonsen's score, which hops from 11-year-old Elio's begrudging home planet of Earth to the far reaches of outer space where he dreams to live forever, there are also two prominent music placements in the film: Talking Heads' existential 1981 single 'Once in a Lifetime' and Vicente García's 'Carmesí,' a top 20 hit on Billboard's Tropical Airplay chart in 2017. More from Billboard New Kid and Family Movies in 2025: Calendar of Release Dates (Updating) Sunscreen, Speakers & More Pool Party Essentials to Help Heat Up Your Summer The 9 Best New Products to Buy This Week: Shop Bose, Leica, & adidas In a conversation with Billboard, Simonsen tells us how both of those songs ended up in the movie, how he musically guides viewers between multiple planets in the sci-fi adventure, his 1973 Disney favorite that still resonates today, how he created his own 'space disco' track for a memorable montage, and why he 'felt at home' working in animated film. I would love to start with when and how you got involved in this project. I'm not seeing any other animated work in your bio, and your only previous Disney project is – so was that the connection? They found me before Deadpool. Actually, I had done some scores that I think they found to use in their film, and they called me to meet with me and shared this really touching story [of Elio] with me. And I really loved what they were going for, and I felt like I understood it and was really excited. Of course Pixar [is] an incredible brain trust, an incredible group of people, and so there was a bit of a sympathetic resonance, I think. And, yeah, we got underway. How long ago was that? I think two and a half years ago, something around there. This one had a longer time frame than what I'm normally used to, working in live-action. I wrote a suite after seeing an initial cut and having a conversation with the director and really felt what they were going for. And I sat down and I wrote a suite and I sent it, and that ended up being 'Elio's Theme,' which is in the film — starts and ends the movie. What was the biggest difference between scoring an animated film and the other movies you've previously worked on? Oh, lots of stuff. You know, getting used to seeing hand sketches of really emotional scenes and filling in the blanks with your imagination, which actually is a process that I love. In a lot of ways, there's not the limitations of exactly what frame something needs to hit. So you're allowed to create music that has a little bit more inherent music logic to it. And in some cases, they're able to get some of these things in kind of early and maybe have some musical moments even to hang the cut and the animation on. Oh wow, that has to be very cool when that happens. That happened pretty rarely, but when it does happen, it's certainly nice. This movie travels to so many different locations, so can you talk about creating music for each setting of this movie? So when Elio is on Earth, versus when he's in the Communiverse, versus when he's on Hylurg. We were definitely trying to give each different location its own flavor. So for Hylurg, we focus on this low male choir and low brass. And for the Communiverse, we use these choir dolls, which are these small, handmade wooden robot dolls that are made by a Swedish company called Teenage Engineering. And we used them as kind of our vocal choir for the Communiverse, which they're encoded with vowels and words and consonants, and it sounds like language, but it's not English. It's not really any specific language. So it has this kind of uncanny resemblance to human voices, but yet it sounds otherworldly, slightly technological. And then on Earth, it's quite grounded, and there's a lot of atmosphere, with simple piano melodies to kind of speak to Elio's heart and his longing. One of my favorite music moments is when Glordon and Elio are in the Communiverse and basically just treating it like one big amusement park, and there's sort of a montage of all the fun they're having. What were you going for with that music? Kind of a pop track, a space disco cut. I love space disco. What an amazing little subgenre of the '70s and '80s. You know, Meco doing these kind of orchestrated but synthesized disco versions of all these sci-fi movies, theme songs and whatnot. And do a modern version of that, but also something that has this kind of nostalgic whimsy to it but with a solid beat that kind of makes you bop your head hopefully. There are also two pop music parts of the movie – let's start with the first one, Talking Heads' 'Once in a Lifetime.' Was that something you were involved in selecting, or was that the dream song that the filmmakers already wanted there? Yeah, they picked that actually. By the time I saw the first cut, when I was brought on, it was in there. And I love that song, so I was happy to see it there. I was racking my brain to think of another moment in a Disney/Pixar movie that features an existing song in its entirety like that and was having a hard time coming up with one. It's jarring in a very cool way! Yeah, it is a bit different for them. And off the top of my head, I'm not sure that I know of another one. The other moment is a Vicente García song called 'Carmesí,' which plays on Aunt Olga's car radio in the movie. How was that song chosen? I know they were chasing some options. And I think, actually, Zoe Saldaña [who voices Elio's Aunt Olga] may have mentioned that song and put it forward as a song that she liked. So I think that there was a cool thread of involving her in that choice. Between and , you're very familiar with how a song can get a big bump from being placed in a movie like this. Do you see a world where this young audience is going to discover Talking Heads and David Byrne or Vicente García through this film? Sure, especially since there's only those two song pieces. The Talking Heads, it's interesting — it's an older song now, but it still feels fresh sonically. And yeah, I hope that a young generation gets introduced to David Byrne. Were you a Disney kid growing up or before working on this? What does working on a Disney project mean to you? Disney has changed the world and has had so many influences and impacts on the world. And I really love that [Walt] Disney was a real visionary and someone who was trying to transport people to new places, but yet, in these new places, you hopefully find something inspiring about life and humanity and the experience of being human, and he was a really forward-thinking person. So, I mean, it's undeniable the mark that Disney has left, and Pixar as well. Their track record is incredible, and they've had so many movies that have been so enjoyable to watch and have been so well-made and so smart, and I think they really cracked the code on making films that appeal to adults and kids. So it was a real dream to get a call from them and to work on this one. Do you have a personal favorite Disney project from your past? You know, I love [1973's] Robin Hood. I loved it as a kid, and I recently rewatched it, and I was struck by how relevant it is to today's times. So I recommend that movie as a rewatch to anyone now. It's really, really resonant, and the music is incredible in that it's very, very catchy melodies and a great score by George Bruns, who is an amazing Disney composer, and Roger Miller delivering these amazing songs. Some of those melodies are just constantly in my head. I find myself absentmindedly whistling the 'Whistle Stop' song from Robin Hood when I'm walking down the street. Do you hope to do more animated work after this? Yeah, I would love to. I really enjoyed working with animators. They're so sensitive. You know, their whole job is to capture the essence of a human emotion with drawings and representations of humans, and knowing exactly what kind of emotion to go for. And emotion is almost infinite in terms of the gradation of it and the spectrum of human emotions. And Pixar, they're the best at doing these very specific facial expressions, and the performances that they infuse their characters with is really impressive. And I saw as these animations kind of improved over time and got more specific, a character would wince in a certain way or kind of make a face in a certain way. And I just appreciate how much study of humanity animators have to do, and that's what we do as film composers, you know? You're a study of human emotions. So I felt at home with these people. So I'd love to do it again. What was it like seeing the movie in its entirety the first time? I think when I saw the whole thing, I had some notes for myself. [Laughs] But, you know, we really worked hard and I think banged it into great shape, and I think the movie really sings. Sitting back and watching it with an audience for the first time at a premiere was great. There's a lot of enthusiasm for the characters and a lot of laughs, and it's very breezy and, I think, very poignant in moments. So to be able to feel that with a group of people, you know, that's an irreplaceable experience. Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
