Alan Menken Animated Musical 'Spellbound' Gets Fall 2022 Release From Paramount and Skydance

Paramount Pictures is partnering with Skydance to co-finance and release the animated musical fantasy “Spellbound,” which features original songs and music from legendary Disney composer Alan Menken.

“Spellbound” is now slated for global theatrical release on Nov. 11, 2022. This follows the release of Skydance Animation’s first original feature “Luck,” which will open domestically Feb. 18, 2022 with a worldwide rollout to follow.

In addition to Menken, “Spellbound” boasts a who’s who of animation royalty. It’s directed by “Shrek’s” Vicky Jenson and written by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin (“Mulan”) and Linda Woolverton (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King”), with “Shrek” producer David Lipman recently joining the project.

Also Read: Watch Disney Lyricist Howard Ashman Lead 'Little Mermaid' Singers in Trailer for New Documentary (Video)

“Spellbound” is set in a world of magic, where a young girl must break the spell that has split her kingdom in two. Menken will write original music for the project, and Glenn Slater (“Tangled”) is writing the lyrics.

“Luck” is directed by Peggy Holmes (“Secret of the Wings,” “The Pirate Fairy”) and features the unluckiest girl alive who stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck and must join with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

“‘Luck’ and ‘Spellbound’ create rich worlds and compelling characters that we know will resonate with audiences everywhere. It’s incredibly exciting to see our team of legendary creatives working around the clock and across the globe to bring these pictures to life,” president of Skydance Animation Holly Edwards said in a statement.

Also Read: Richard Linklater's Hybrid Live-Action, Animated 'Apollo 10 1/2' Flies to Netflix

“‘Luck’ and ‘Spellbound’ mark the next phase of Skydance and Paramount’s commitment to feature animation for the theatrical experience,” Paramount’s president of domestic distribution Chris Aronson said in a statement. “These films not only continue our longstanding relationship with Skydance, but, along with Paramount Animation’s own upcoming films, mean we will be releasing event-level animated films for years to come.”

Skydance is led by Edwards and John Lasseter. Skydance Animation is also working on a slate of to-be-announced TV series in various stages of development.

All 14 Oscar-Winning Disney Songs, From 'When You Wish Upon a Star' to 'Let It Go' (Photos)

Disney movies have produced some classic songs over the years -- and just over a dozen have won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
"When You Wish Upon a Star" -- "Pinocchio" (1940)

The first song from a Disney movie to win Oscar glory is Jiminy Cricket's ballad from "Pinocchio," sung by Cliff Edwards.

Disney
"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" -- "Song of the South" (1947)

Allie Wrubel and lyricist Ray Gilbert's song, based on a pre-Civil War folk song, is a catchy ditty in a film that has not been screened in decades due to its depiction of African American characters like Uncle Remus.

Disney
"Chim Chim Cher-ee" -- "Mary Poppins" (1964)

Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews' duet, written by the brotherly duo of Richard and Robert Sherman, continues to charm.

Disney
"Under the Sea" -- "The Little Mermaid" (1987)

Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman snapped Disney's two-decade drought with the standout tune from an animated musical that re-established the studio's dominance in the genre.
Disney
"Beauty and the Beast" -- "Beauty and the Beast" (1991)

Two years later, Menken and Ashman won for the title song to this hit, sung by Angela Lansbury.

Disney
"A Whole New World" -- "Aladdin" (1992)

The following year, Menken (with lyricist Tim Rice) won for this high-flying ballad.
Disney
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" -- "The Lion King" (1994)

Elton John and Tim Rice won for this ballad -- beating out two other songs from the megahit, "Hakuna Matata" and "Circle of Life."

Disney
"Colors of the Wind" -- "Pocahontas" (1995)

Judy Kuhn sang this title track in the film, another win for Alan Menken (this time with lyricist Steven Schwartz). But Vanessa Williams also released a version that hit the charts.

Disney
"You'll Be in My Heart" -- "Tarzan" (1999)

Phil Collins took home the gold for this ballad, which he originally conceived as a lullaby for his daughter.
Disney
"If I Didn't Have You" -- "Monsters Inc." (2001)

Randy Newman had been nominated 14 times -- including for the memorable "Toy Story" theme, "You've Got a Friend in Me" -- before he managed to win for this pleasant thematic knockoff.
Disney
"We Belong Together" -- "Toy Story 3" (2010)

Nine years later, Newman returned to the podium for the theme from the third "Toy Story" movie.
Disney
"Man or Muppet" -- "The Muppets" (2011)

Bret McKenzie, best known for the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, snagged an Oscar in a year in which only two songs were nominated. (The other was "Real in Rio" from the Blue Sky animated film "Rio.")

Disney
"Let It Go" -- "Frozen" (2013)

Husband-and-wife songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez's anthem became an overplayed earworm -- thanks to Idina Menzel's soaring vocals.
Disney
"Remember Me" -- "Coco" (2017)

Lopez and Anderson-Lopez won their second Oscar for this memorable tune, which is repeated in a number of versions throughout the film.

Disney