Tituss Burgess has long admired Nathan Lane as a prominent figure on Broadway. His admiration intensified when he witnessed Lane’s performance in the 1992 revival of “Guys and Dolls,” leaving a lasting impression on him. For many years, however, the two had not collaborated until the release of “Spellbound,” an upcoming animated musical from Netflix. Interestingly, despite playing characters together in the film, they recorded their roles separately and only recently met for the first time.
In “Spellbound,” Burgess and Lane lend their voices to the whimsical characters Ludo and Sunny. As the Oracles of the Moon and Sun, this quirky duo helps the protagonist, Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler), on her adventurous quest to reverse a spell that has transformed her parents into monsters.
During an interview, Lane shared an intriguing detail about their characters: “They’re sort of a couple. They’re two male Oracles who live in the woods in a mushroom house. This is sort of a common law marriage, I think.” Burgess added, “Isn’t it interesting, though, that they would choose Queer people to be the Sun and the Moon? It’s kind of beautiful.”
The film boasts a talented voice cast featuring Jenifer Lewis, Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, and Olga Merediz. Directed by Vicky Jenson, known for her work on “Shrek,” “Spellbound” also includes an original score from the celebrated EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken, with lyrics penned by Glenn Slater. Audiences can look forward to the film’s debut on Netflix on November 22.
This collaboration not only highlights the evolving representation of queer characters in mainstream media but also showcases the power of animation in storytelling, allowing for diverse narratives to be shared with audiences of all ages. “Spellbound” has the potential to inspire and resonate with viewers, creating a hopeful dialogue around inclusivity and acceptance in today’s society.