Oscar Winner Kris Bowers to Score Disney's Animated Feature 'Hexed'

Academy Award-winning composer Kris Bowers will write the original score for Disney's upcoming animated feature "Hexed," which reaches theaters on Nov. 25.

The film stars Hailee Steinfeld, Rashida Jones, Jodie Foster and Walton Goggins. It tells a magical coming-of-age story about an unconventional teenage girl who discovers secret magical abilities. Once unleashed, those powers hurl her into a spectacle-filled journey through a hidden realm of witches.

Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand direct. Roy Conli and Yvett Merino produce.

How did Bowers build the score?

The composer worked from an unusual premise: a young woman who dreams of flying, both literally and metaphorically. That idea pushed him toward instruments powered by air.

Bowers said: "Creating the score for 'Hexed' was all about exploration and experimentation. Inspired by a young woman who dreams of flying, both literally and metaphorically, I began exploring unusual ways of making music with air: bird call whistles, wind wand, nose flutes, bottles, kazoos, air sirens and even recordings of actual birds transformed into instruments."

The resulting sound, he explained, resists a single category. He described a blend of orchestra, an effected chamber woodwind ensemble, synthesizers and natural sound elements, with the line between acoustic and electronic textures often blurred.

Bowers said: "At its core, this is a deeply emotional mother-daughter journey and I wanted the music to capture both that intimacy and the wonder and adventure of this world. I'm so grateful for the incredibly engaging collaboration with Fawn, Jason, Jared and the entire Disney Animation filmmaking team."

What does this change for Bowers's career?

The Disney assignment lands in a busy stretch for the composer. Bowers also composed the music for Netflix's animated film "Steps." He scored the upcoming Paramount/Skydance sports drama "Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story," which premieres on Dec. 25.

Bowers will also reunite with filmmaker Ben Proudfoot. He composed the score for Breakwater Studios' documentary "The Eyes of Ghana."

The "Hexed" assignment places an Oscar winner inside Disney's animation music tradition. Audiences will hear the full result — bird calls, orchestras and all — when the film opens on Nov. 25.