David Byrne and Hayley Williams write original songs for Netflix film The Twits

South Wales Guardian

4 days ago

The film adaptation based on the characters from Roald Dahl's book of the same name will feature three original songs – We're Not Like Ev'ryone Else, Lullaby, and The Problem Is You – written and produced by Byrne, 73, and performed by the cast.
Williams, 36, known for Paramore's hits including Still Into You and Ain't It Fun, joins the Psycho Killer singer for the end title song, Open The Door, as a co-writer and performer.
Byrne said: 'This was a fun project. Like other Roald Dahl books, this one has its share of dreadful characters – this time two of them are front and centre.
'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'.'
The film re-imagines Dahl's characters Jim and Credenza Twit – the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world who own and operate a disgusting and dangerous amusement park, Twitlandia.
As they 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 their city.
Williams added: 'Being a part of this movie is like one pinch-me moment after another. My favourite Roald Dahl book growing up was The Twits.
'It feels like a cautionary tale – and also a really lovely depiction of chosen family and community, which is one of my favourite topics. I owe David Byrne for pulling me into the music for this. It was so fun and so surreal starting a song from scratch with him.'
The film stars comedian Johnny Vegas and US actress Margo Martindale, who voice the eponymous Mr & Mrs Twits.
Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke will also lend her voice to portray Pippa, while Hollywood actress Natalie Portman will portray Mary Muggle Wump.
Other previously announced cast members include Freakier Friday actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Primos' Ryan Lopez, Nobody Wants This actor Timothy Simons and comedian Jason Mantzoukas.
The film is written and directed by american filmmaker Phil Johnston, who is best known for co-writing Ralph Breaks The Internet and Zootopia.
Johnston said: '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.
'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.
'Throughout the process, my collaboration with David has been incredibly fun and surprisingly easy, probably because I've been stealing from him for so long.
'When David and I started talking about an end credit song, the first potential collaborator David brought up was Hayley Williams.
'I still can't quite believe that two of my favourite songwriters wrote a song together for The Twits. The saying 'never meet your heroes' simply does not apply here. I met two of them, and boy howdy, it's been a dream come true.'
The Twits will debut on Netflix on October 17.