Versatile screen composer Mark Mancina is perhaps best known for his exhilarating orchestral music in genres spanning blockbuster action movies and Disney animated films. He broke through in the '90s with adrenalized classics like Speed (1994) and Twister (1996), then collaborated on Disney projects including Tarzan (1999) and Moana (2016). His work in the 2020s has encompassed Clint Eastwood's Cry Macho (2021) and Juror #2 (2024) -- both of which demonstrated Mancina's skill at quieter tension -- and the rousing animated films The Sea Beast (2022) and Moana 2 (2024). Born and raised in Southern California, Mancina studied classical guitar and piano from an early age, and can often be heard playing guitar, keyboards, bass, and/or percussion on his score recordings. Though he had a classical background, he took to songwriting in high school, and broke into film by composing instrumental music for documentaries. He landed some action films in the late '80s, such as 1987's Mankillers and 1988's Rage to Kill, which led to ongoing assignments in film and television. His stock rose in 1994 after Hans Zimmer asked him to produce and arrange three of Elton John's songs for the Disney film The Lion King. Not only did the soundtrack earn him a Grammy Award, but a song he co-wrote for the project that wasn't used in the film was resurrected for the 1997 Broadway musical version ("They Live in You"/"He Lives in You"), earning him a second Grammy for its cast album. The year 1994 also kicked off a string of scores for action hits, including but not limited to Speed (1994), Twister (1996), and Con Air (1997). He composed the music for the sequel Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) as well. Mancina reunited with Disney for 1999's Tarzan, writing the score and co-writing the film's original songs with Phil Collins. It won him a third Grammy, for Best Soundtrack Album. In the 2000s, Mancina's projects included the 2001 crime drama Training Day, the 2003 Disney animated feature Brother Bear (again with Collins), the live-action Disney outing The Haunted Mansion (also 2003), and the hit TV series Criminal Minds (2005-2009). In the 2010s, he was back at Disney for 2013's Planes and its 2014 sequel, Planes: Fire & Rescue, as well as 2016's Moana, which found him co-writing songs with Polynesian singer/songwriter Opetaia Foa'i and Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Moana soundtrack was later nominated for a Grammy. The composer worked with director/actor Clint Eastwood for the first time on 2021's Cry Macho, a drama about a former rodeo star; although often suspenseful, it showcased Mancina's quieter side, including acoustic guitar work. The Netflix animated film The Sea Beast (2022) was his next score to be released, and he reunited with Eastwood for 2024's Juror #2, a psychological thriller. Also in theaters in late 2024 was Moana 2, which found Mancina writing again with Opetaia Foa'i. ~ Marcy Donelson, Rovi

Mark Mancina, Disneyland Paris Lion King Ensemble cast

Mark Mancina

Going to Mark Mancina, Disneyland Paris Lion King Ensemble cast?