Longtime Pixar Composer Michael Giacchino to Score Disney’s ‘Zootopia’ 

Oscar-winning Pixar composer Michael Giacchino is has been selected as the composer of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new animated film 

Giacchino has scored a variety of Pixar films over the years such as 

, in addition to scoring a number of WDAS shorts such as 

Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa

, however, will mark his first collaboration with the Walt Disney Animation Studios for a feature-length animated film.

According to the press release, the score will feature an 80-piece orchestra led by conductor Tim Simonec and is being recorded this week. According to Giacchino, the score is very diverse and features “flavors of world music sprinkled in everywhere.”

“In a world as vast as Zootopia, we needed someone who could deliver a score that can feel exotic and powerful, but also provide that same emotional intimacy. We tell stories with images, Michael tells stories with music. ‘Zootopia’ is a massive film with deep emotional themes running throughout the story, and Michael was the perfect choice to bring the music of this extraordinary animal world to life.”

Co-director Rich Moore also added insight into the process of working with the 

“The process of working with Michael is unique in that it doesn’t feel like a process. It feels more like visiting with a childhood friend. We started by talking about the film—the themes, the tone, the characters, the emotional moments. We talked about what inspired us, and our hopes for the movie. And from those conversations, Michael began building the score. When we listened to his work together, an amazing thing happened. Michael somehow took those conversations and turned them into music. It’s creative collaboration, pure and simple.”

“We’ve had a lot of fun working together and the directors have been wonderfully supportive of me throughout the entire process, giving me an incredible amount of freedom to really explore the tone and emotional side of the story. I am really proud to be a part of this film. It’s one of those films with a huge heart and wonderfully realized characters set within a story that’s not only incredibly fun and entertaining but takes an honest look at our own world and the important issues we deal with living in such a diverse society.  That’s what really attracted me to the film—the chance to write music that reflects these kind of challenges.”

As if we haven’t already fallen in love with every score Giacchino has written, Howard added, “You fall in love with the music the instant you hear it.”

What do you think about this announcement? Are you excited to see Giacchino work on his first feature-length score for WDAS?

YES! I love this guy, one of my favorite underscore composers EVER!

Michael being the composer was leaked by producer Clark Spencer, I’m not surprised about that anymore, however, let me tell you what did surprise me: “the heart”.

The directors are finally starting to reveal the importance of the emotional core of the movie and I love that about Walt Disney Animation Studios. I love Pixar but they’ve really overused their “emotional aspect” of their movies to captivate audiences right away. Disney Animation on the other hand are only going to reveal the majority of that in the movie. I’ve grown faith in the movie because it transcends beyond “furry pandering” and the “Robin Hood tribute/Chicken Little done right” situation. I cannot wait to see what on earth could make me cry for a Rabbit and Fox duo in Zootropolis once it’s released!

It’s starting to surprise me too! I agree Pixar is overusing he emotional aspect a little and go into sophisticated teritory. Disney is full of surprises not just in animation but live action as well.

Truth be told, I’m concerned for Disney’s live action department. They’re piggybacking on live rendition of Disney Animation properties to have financial success whilst their original properties flop again and again.

But back to topic, being sophisticated is good. I respect Pixar for that, but the thing is, all Pixar has been doing lately is tugging on emotional strings. Disney Animation on the other hand balance their comedy with their heart and provide an equal serve with their promotion. Maybe I’m just elaborating like so because Disney Animation just seem to have more engaging properties in their lineup as opposed to Pixar current slate right now…

I don’t blame you the only thing they did great lately in the LA apartment is Cinderella! Tugging on emotional strings is why not all Pixars been doing the last nearly ten years are not great. I agree on DA’s slate.

I really like that they are talking just now about the heart of the story as opposed to selling an emotional film to begin with. I’m sure most of us had assumed that this would be a big comedy ala Emperor’s New Groove, but the fact that they are going to explore common social issues in our society tells me that this will be a very well balanced film. It’s always refreshing to go see a film for some laughs and leave the theatre with a heartwarming feeling.

This makes me SO excited for what this movie has in store!

Me too this guy writes awesome scores! It won’t be great but we’ll see if it’s good.

With everybody’s obsession with Moana right now, Zootopia’s going to be dark horse for 2016’s box office feature films!

I love Giacchino!! Especially in Up!! Gosh I really can’t wait for Zootopia to come out, and I hope too that its really worth the great news we’re hearing too!

This is great news to me! Mr. Giacchino is definitely in tune with another level of music than the majority of the world- he hears, composes, and shares pure emotion through his work. Whenever I listen to his soundtracks, even before i see the movie, I can just feel the passion and can put myself in the story and shoes of the characters. I’m super excited to hear what comes of this and know Zootopia will benefit from him!

“It’s one of those films with a huge heart and wonderfully realized characters set within a story that’s not only incredibly fun and entertaining but takes an honest look at our own world and the important issues we deal with living in such a diverse society”. Knowing that this film is already dealing with prejudice and stereotypes, Michael’s statement about challenges in a diverse society has supported my theory that maybe this movie’s message will be tied to racism and injustice.

That’s kind of deep, but Disney has a way of spreading those kinds of messages while being family friendly at the same time. And racism and injustice is especially tied to stereotypes in our country today. I doubt that Disney is going to go deeply dark and mature for this film, but the themes and story content released for Zootopia so far has convinced me that this film’s message on stereotypes will be very easy to compare to racism today.

Still, very excited for this film, and can’t wait to hear what Michael has for us to hear!

Illumination Entertainment Unveils A-List Cast for Their Second 2016 Film ‘SING’

Watch The ‘Finding Dory’ Trailer Right Now!

Longtime Pixar Composer Michael Giacchino to Score Disney’s ‘Zootopia’

Chernin Entertainment Developing Live-Action ‘Esmeralda’ Film

Will The Doctor be joining ‘The LEGO Movie Sequel’?

Mariah Carey Joins ‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ as Gotham’s Mayor (UPDATE)

Paramount Animation Announces New Film Slate Through 2019

Meet the Characters and Voices Behind Disney’s ‘Zootopia’

“Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future” ‘Gravity Falls’ S2E17 Recap/Review

Use the hashtag #RotoShirt on Instagram to have your photo featured here!