'Aladdin' Remake to Feature New Songs from 'La La Land' Oscar Winners
Like other entries in its recent remake canon, Disney's upcoming live-action version of "Aladdin" is set to include some new music alongside classics like "A Whole New World." And the Mouse House secured two red-hot songwriters to collaborate on fresh tunes for the flick.
In an interview with Variety on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul -- also known professionally as simply Pasek and Paul -- revealed that they worked with celebrated Disney songwriter Alan Menken on two new tracks for the "Aladdin 2.0" soundtrack, penning the lyrics while Menken wrote the music.
"The Greatest Showman" songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul are working on new music for Disney's #Aladdin (Watch) pic.twitter.com/ChjfFssMi6
— Variety (@Variety) March 5, 2018
"We're really thrilled that we got to collaborate with one of our heroes," Pasek said of Menken, adding that they "freaked out" over the opportunity. The duo "probably delayed work for several weeks" Pasek admitted, while they grilled Menken for stories about all of the incredible music he's written over the years, for iconic Disney flicks including "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," and yes, the original "Aladdin."
Pasek and Paul already have something in common with Menken: They won the Best Original Song statuette at last year's Oscars for "City of Stars" from "La La Land," and were also nominated again this year for "This Is Me" from "The Greatest Showman." Menken, meanwhile, has picked up eight Oscars throughout his career, and racked up another 11 nominations. The threesome will no doubt be hoping for some similar Oscar glory come awards season time in 2020.
"Aladdin" is due in theaters on May 24, 2019.
[via: Variety/Twitter]