The upcoming Fox animated film “Rio” is getting some serious musical weight behind it. In an interview with the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated president of Fox Music Robert Kraft he revealed that Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes and pop music poison will.i.am are working on the score and songs respectively for the film.
“John Powell is scoring it with Sergio Mendes. We brought in Carlinhos Brown, a big Brazilian star. We had 13 drummers on the Fox stage last Saturday, just playing yards and yards of Brazilian rhythms. Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas is writing songs. It’s hugely exciting,” Kraft said.
Obviously, we’re more excited by Mendes’ contributions that whatever will.i.am will come up with (hopefully it’s a bit more creative than saying boom boom pow for four minutes straight). But, 13 drummers? We’re expecting a wildly propulsive, rhythmic score which should be a lot of fun in a kids film. Mendes was best known for his albums with Brasil ’66 which made him a household name in North America. But his catalog is deep and well worth exploring. Also as an fyi, Mendes appeared on the Black Eyed Peas album “Elephunk” so we wouldn’t be surprised if further cross-pollination happens this time around as well.
As we previously reported, the film will be directed by Carlos Saldanha (“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”), and is about a macaw who travels from Minnesota to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Anne Hathaway, Rodrigo Santoro and Neil Patrick Harris will lend their voices to the film. “Rio” is slated to open April 8, 2011.
