Just how talented isJ.J. Abrams? The director ofStar Wars: The Force Awakenscan now add singing to to his extensive resume. Yes, you heard that right. The man who resurrected theStar Wars franchise, making it the biggest domestic box office release of all time, not only produced, co-wrote and directed the hit sequel. He also lends his vocal talents as well.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a movie jam packed with hidden Easter eggs. So many, that almost 7 weeks out we’re still learning about new ones. But when you finally feel like you’ve heard the last of them, you learn thatJ.J. Abramsis also singing on the soundtrack. His voice can be heard in the now-iconic Cantina scene.
The news was revealed in a recent interview withEntertainment Tonight. How didJ.J. Abramswind up singing on his own soundtrack? As we learned right before the movie came out,Lin-Manuel Mirandahad been recruited to create new music for a scene set inside Maz Kanata’s Castle. The scene in question harkens back to the Cantina scene fromStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopeand the Jabba’s Palace scene fromStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.Lin-Manuel Mirandais the mastermind behind the Broadway hit Hamilton, and he also contributed music to the upcoming Disney animated adventureMoana.
Lin-Manuel Mirandawrote two songs for the soundtrack, the first of which is heard whenHan Solo,Rey, andFinnenterMaz Kanata’s cantina for the first time. We see an assortment of aliens enjoying drinks and playing games, just like at any old dive bar. And while we knew that we could hearLin-Manuel Mirandalending his vocal prowess to this track, we now have confirmation thatJ.J. Abramsjoined in the medley too. Here’s whatLin-Manuel Mirandahad to say about the scene in question
“I got a screening together for the Hamilton cast and crew. It was really fun because we just all burst into cheers. And it’s J.J. and I singing on the track. It’s one level of surreal to write something for a movie, but it’s another to hear your voice in a Star Wars movie.”
Thus far, the singing characters heard in the movie don’t have any background information. But it probably won’t be long before these space musicians are established as true characters right alongside Sy Snootles and the Max Rebo Band and Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, though we don’t get to see them in the movie. The song isn’t included on the official soundtrack at this time. Perhaps a 45 will be released in the near future?
