Sneak peek: A-list animals ‘SING’ together

Matthew McConaughey gave his Wolf of Wall Street character a melodic chest-thumping exercise, and now he’s composed a “pump-up” tune to sing to himself as a dapper koala bear.

McConaughey plays the animated animal alongside other A-list voice talent such as Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon in the family-friendly musical comedy SING, in theaters Dec. 21, 2016, and directed by Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy).

Buster Moon has realized the dream of owning the theater that he used to go with his dad, but the place has fallen on hard times with nobody coming for shows anymore. Though his best friend, a black sheep named Eddie (John C. Reilly), doesn’t think it’s a great idea, he decides to put on the world’s greatest singing competition.

“Buster is a salesman and a survivor, eternally optimistic and someone who will do anything to make sure ‘the show goes on,’ ” says McConaughey.

He scrapes together $1,000 for the winner, but thanks to Buster’s doddering old lizard assistant, fliers go out proclaiming a $100,000 prize, causing a stir in the animal world. And as Buster fights for his theater’s relevance, five characters become the top talent in the competition, “all of whom are ultimately trying to define or redefine or find themselves through music and performance,” adds producer Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of animation studio Illumination Entertainment.

Rosita the pig (Witherspoon) gave up her teenage musical dreams years ago but yearns to be more than just a devoted mom to her 25 piglets. “She rarely has a second to herself, so she finds her moments of freedom intersect with this passion for music,” Witherspoon says. “She embodies and embraces that singer in all of us who just belts it out when no one is looking.”

Ash (Johansson) is a porcupine who heads up an alternative-rock band with her boyfriend, but when she makes it into the competition and he doesn’t, there is some strife. But along the way, she finds enough confidence to be comfortable with herself, Johansson says. “Ash is an artist at heart who discovers her true voice with the support of her friends and fellow artists. In fact, she represents a lot of teenagers going through the same experience of embracing their true selves as they come of age.”

Rounding out the top five are Mike (Seth MacFarlane) a little mouse with a big Sinatra-esque voice and arrogant attitude “who’s looking at any moment to try to take advantage of anyone he comes in contact with,” says Meledandri; Johnny (Taron Egerton), Johnny, a young gorilla who just wants to sing but whose gangster father wants him to follow in the family’s criminal footsteps; and Meena (Tori Kelly), a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.

More than 85 songs, from the 1940s to the present, are in the film so far, Meledandri says. “When you start to see these animals sing, it’s absolutely magical and hysterical.”

McConaughey figures Buster is close in character to other live-action roles he’s had that involve “some salesman aspects and wriggling out of a pinch.” And Meledandri liked that Buster brought together McConaughey’s melodic voice with a character who can be manipulative but isn’t a complete scoundrel.

Buster “reminds me of a lot of producers I know where you have to be optimistic to the point of delusion to create,” Meledandri says. “You start with the whole world betting against you so you have to believe it. Sometimes that belief and that optimism can result in selling things that aren’t quite there yet.”

Rosita already holds a special place in Witherspoon’s heart, and the actress admits that she does voice work in movies “just as much for myself as I have for my kids.” A koala bear is helping McConaughey learn that lesson as well.

“I haven’t made many films my kids can watch,” he says, “so I’m excited to make one they’ll enjoy as well as hear their dad in.”

– USA Today

Illumination’s ‘Sing’ to open December 2016

Universal has revealed that the project formerly known as Untitled Illumination Entertainment 2016 Project 2 will be called Sing and will open as previously announced on December 21 2016.

Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly star in a musical comedy about finding the inner star within all of us.

The film will open via Universal after the studio releases Illumination Entertainment’s The Secret Life Of Pets in summer 2016.

McConaughey will voice a dapper Koala theatre owner fallen on hard times who stages a singing contest to restore his business.

Garth Jennings directs from his screenplay and Illumination chief Chris Meledandri produces alongside Janet Healy.

– Screen Daily

Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon Animated Comedy Gets Title

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have give the title “Sing” to animated musical comedy set in the animal kingdom.

The movie, whose name and concept have been under wraps, will open on Dec. 21, 2016.

Set in a world entirely inhibited by animals, Matthew McConaughey will star as the voice of eternal optimist Buster Moon, a dapper koala who’s in desperate need of income to save his beloved theater.

To bring his pride and joy to its former glory, he produces the world’s greatest singing competition, tricking contestant into believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life.

The movie will feature more than 85 hit songs scattered throughout the film. In addition to McConaughey, the musical comedy also boasts the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly, all as contestants in Buster’s scam.

“Sing” is written and directed by Garth Jennings (“Son of Rambow,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”). Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy are producing.

– The Wrap