Yes, You Did Hear Metallica On Disney’s Jungle Cruise!
Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” surprises fans during the opening moments of Disney’s Jungle Cruise…
In a word, Disney’s Jungle Cruise is awesome. Now, I am not sure it will win any awards, and it is certainly a “popcorn” movie. However, Jungle Cruise is definitely a film in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean.
As such, there are plenty of surprises for the viewer – and the listener.
One of the highlights of the first few moments of the movie were notes from Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.”
That was teased almost a year ago (Melissa Roden wrote about it!) when the film was first produced (before numerous COVID-related delays).
Collider’s Jeff Sneider explained:
Planning to watch @JungleCruise in theaters or on Disney+ Premier Access tomorrow? Keep an ear out for a totally new and different version of “Nothing Else Matters,” appearing twice in the film! Check out this sneak peek. #JungleCruise pic.twitter.com/APbKEk7d1h
— Metallica (@Metallica) July 29, 2021
Metallica is working with Jungle Cruise composer James Newton Howard on an orchestral version of “Nothing Else Matters” that will play a key part in next year’s Dwayne Johnson–Emily Blunt movie and the band’s legendary drummer Lars Ulrich offered his first thoughts on the collaboration…
It really goes back to [Disney production president] Sean Bailey, who is a lifelong rock fan, and is just all-around one of the greatest, most friendly, generous, warm, and embracing people you’ll find in the music business… I think he’s always been a Metallica fan, and we’ve gotten to know each other well. My wife and I are big Disney fans, so there’s a great friendship there, and he’s always looked for the right match where there was a way that Metallica could contribute to some project of theirs. This was the right fit, with Sean leading the calvary, and with James Newton Howard and his track record, and what he’s done.”
Lars Ulrich, Metallica
Moreover, of the collaboration, Metallica said (via Blabbermouth.net):
- “It was an honor to work with renowned, legendary composer James Newton Howard as we reimagined the song by performing his arrangement and creating a rendition we like to think is fit for an excursion through the Amazon.
- “The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, who take the fan-favorite ride and transform it into a theatrical adventure. Not only are we big fans of Disney, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with Howard, an eight-time Oscar nominee who has been recognized for films such as ‘The Fugitive,’ ‘Michael Clayton’, and ‘The Village.‘
- “Our collaboration with Howard will be featured on the film’s soundtrack, available to stream or download on your favorite music platforms.”
Meanwhile, check out the collaboration with these two audio/videos from Disney:
Part 1
Part 2
So, as a guy who did not listen to Metallica growing up but has grown to really appreciate some of their hits, I have to say their inclusion in Jungle Cruise really works.
Finally, the song is just one more reason to see the flick!
Feature Image: Disney