The animated comedy based on Roald Dahl’s famed characters will feature original songs by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and Paramore’s Hayley Williams; debuts October 17.
Netflix has announced that David Byrne, musician, writer, and founding member of Talking Heads, has written and produced three original songs for the upcoming animated film The Twits. The songs are performed by the cast and include “We're Not Like Ev'ryone Else,” “Lullaby,” and “The Problem Is You.” Byrne also serves as co-writer and performer alongside Paramore’s Hayley Williams on the end title song “Open the Door.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic characters, The Twits tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world who also happen to own and operate the most disgusting, most dangerous, most idiotic amusement park, Twitlandia. But when the Twits rise to power in their town, two brave children and a family of magical Muggle-Wumps are forced to become as tricky as the Twits in order to save the city.
“This was a fun project,” said Byrne. “Like other Roald Dahl books, this one has its share of dreadful characters - this time two of them are front and center. Kids (and adults) love that they can vicariously imagine their own worst impulses played out, harmlessly, in a punky fun story. So when I was approached to write some songs for this movie I immediately said ‘let me give it a try and see if you like what I come up with’. [...] I reached out to Hayley Williams to collaborate on the end credits song and we both agreed that it should serve to remind us that there is heart and connection in the story after all the unpleasantness depicted by Mr. and Mrs. Twit.”
Joining previously announced Johnny Vegas and Margo Martindale, who voice the Mr. & Mrs. Twits, as well as Emilia Clarke (Pippa) and Natalie Portman (Mary Muggle Wump) are Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Beesha), Ryan Lopez (Bubsy), Timothy Simons (Marty Muggle-Wump), Nicole Byer (Beverly Onion), Jason Mantzoukas (Mayor Wayne John John-John), Alan Tudyk (Sweet Toed Toad), Mark Proksch (Horvis Dingle), Rebecca Wisocky (Dee Dumdie-Dungle), and Charlie Berens (Gorb Klurb). Oscar nominee Phil Johnston (co-writer and co-director on Ralph Breaks the Internet, co-writer on Zootopia and Wreck-It Ralph) directs alongside Katie Shanahan and Todd Demong, from a script by Johnston and Meg Favreau.
“I still can’t quite believe that I spent the last few years collaborating with David Byrne, a musical hero of mine since I was 13,” added Johnston. “From the first demo he sent me, on which the featured instrument was a 100-year-old banjolele, I knew I was going to love the songs he wrote.”
Johnston, Maggie Malone, and Daisy May West produce. Animation is by Jellyfish Pictures.
The Twits hits Netflix October17.
Source: Netflix
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
