Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About Encanto
Script written by Nick Spake
#10: Stephanie Beatriz’s Audition Song
Although she was originally considered for Luisa, Stephanie Beatriz captured Mirabel’s warmth and offbeat charm at her audition. According to co-director Jared Bush, Beatriz melted the crew’s hearts when she read Mirabel’s touching scene with Antonio. Beatriz also brought out Mirabel’s comedic side with a rendition of “You’re Welcome” from “Moana.” The unconventional song selection perfectly suited Mirabel, inspiring Tony Smeed to translate a recording of Beatriz’s performance to animation. The role motivated Beatriz to further explore her Colombian heritage, not only for herself, but also for her daughter. Beatriz was in the late stages of her pregnancy during the recording sessions. While singing “Waiting on a Miracle,” Beatriz was literally waiting on her miracle, who arrived only two days later.
#9: Abuela’s Backstory Was Almost in “The Family Madrigal”
“The Family Madrigal” was the first song that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote. Although the whole story wasn’t set in stone, especially the second and third acts, Miranda felt the song could serve as a guide for the filmmakers. Written with the triumphant energy of a horn line, the opening number showcases possibly the fastest singing in a Disney song. As exposition-heavy as the song is, it almost contained another crucial story detail: Abuela’s backstory. With Mirabel narrating to the same familiar tune, the original lyrics reveal that a pregnant Abuela built their home alone in just one day. Ultimately, Abuela’s origin story shifted to the film’s first scene while the song “Dos Oruguitas” added new layers. The miracle also builds the Casita in the finished film.
#8: John Leguizamo Improvised the Rat Telenovela
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You might be surprised to learn that some of the funniest Disney moments were improvised. “Encanto” is no exception with John Leguizamo ad-libbing one of the best gags. With exception to his rat companions, Bruno has been alone for the past ten years. He finds different ways to entertain himself, most notably casting his rat friends in a telenovela. According to co-director and co-writer Charise Castro Smith, Leguizamo came up with Bruno’s telenovela bit, singling it out as one of her favorite jokes. Can Leguizamo please elaborate on this ad-lib? We NEED to find out what happens between the amnesiac aunt and her nephew/lover. Leguizamo wasn’t the only cast member who went off-script, as Beatriz improvised her fair share of comedic and emotional lines.
#7: Miranda’s Older Sister Inspired “Surface Pressure”
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It’s no wonder why the Madrigals are so relatable, as the filmmakers drew inspiration from their own family dynamics. Miranda described “Surface Pressure” as his “love letter and apology” to his older sister, Luz Miranda-Crespo. Just as Mirabel is the youngest sibling in her immediate family, so is Miranda. Being six years older, Miranda’s sister grew up with more responsibilities and burdens than her brother. One Christmas, their parents woke up Luz early so that she could assemble a He-Man playset before Lin-Manuel got up. Miranda not only brought that angst to “Surface Pressure,” but also worked himself into the song. According to Jared Bush, Miranda recorded the “tick tock” sound for the first demo and they kept it in throughout production.
#6: Isabella Almost Had a TRUE Love Interest
Although Isabela isn’t in love with Mariano, she’s willing to marry him to appease her family and maintain her “perfect” image. In an earlier version of the film, Isabella would’ve had a legitimate love interest named Bubo Marquez. Quirky, dorky, and disguised in a urine-soaked jaguar costume, Bubo is the complete opposite of Isabella. Opposites attract, though, and Bubo sees Isabela for who she truly is. The two even plan to run away together, knowing that Abuela wouldn’t approve of their secret romance. This also would’ve firmly established that people can leave the Encanto if they wish. Although Bubo sounds like a fun character, his presence would’ve dramatically changed Isabella’s character arc. Plus, Bubo’s personality and name might’ve been a bit too similar to Bruno’s.
#5: How The Costume Design Captures Every Character
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Wanting to tell a story through the visuals, the artists convey each family member’s personality and gift through their clothing. Luisa’s skirt possesses dumbbells, Dolores’ shirt has sound waves, and Isabella’s dress is covered in flowers. Being the heart of the family, Mirabel’s dress pays homage to every Madrigal, from a candle for Abuela to animals for Antonio. The filmmakers also distinguished the two sides of Madrigals with cooler colors representing Mirabel’s family and sunnier colors for Aunt Pepa’s. In the middle you had Bruno, whose color scheme could be a reference to Go Away Green, which Disney uses to camouflage backstage buildings at parks. In any case, Mirabel’s green glasses link her to Bruno as the fellow family misfit who sees things others don’t.
#4: Visiting Colombia for Inspiration
You might not find a living house in Colombia, but you will find that the “Encanto” filmmakers did their homework. To capture the country’s scenery, diversity, and culture, the filmmakers teamed with experts Juan Rendon and Natalie Osma. As part of the Colombian Cultural Trust, Rendon and Osma guided the filmmakers on a trip to Columbia. Miranda’s father also came along. They spent two weeks exploring major cities like Bogotá and Cartagena, towns like Palenque and Salento, and sweeping natural wonderlands like Cocora Valley. Beyond sightseeing and food-tasting, the filmmakers got to know residents on a personal level and learn from them. A tourist guide named Alejandra Espinosa Uribe would even become a consultant on the film and help shape the character of Mirabel.
#3: The Details in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Music
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The trip to Colombia was only the tip of Miranda’s research. He spent years studying the country’s culture and music to perfect the soundtrack. When Miranda needed to learn about Colombian plants, his botanist neighbor helped inspire the lyric “hurricane of jacarandas,” among others. While the songs and story are intertwined, there’s even more going on beneath the surface. Miranda wanted the music to communicate who each character is. Since Mirabel stands out from the rest of her family, he approached “Waiting on a Miracle” like a waltz, which is “out of time” yet lovely. Miranda packed in so many details that not everything made the cut. The finale, for example, almost ran two-and-a-half minutes longer with more time dedicated to Abuela, Julieta, and Agustín.
#2: We Don’t Talk About Oscar, car, car, car?
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From his offbeat personality to a certain chart-topping song, you may think that you know Bruno inside and out by now. Before Bruno was an awkward, vulnerable scene-stealer, though, the character was written with a cockier edge. The character wasn’t even named Burno in the beginning. Originally, he was Oscar Madrigal. Since that’s a common name and Disney wanted to avoid any legal trouble, several alternatives were brainstormed. Arlo, Anko, Andre, Emo, and Marco were some of the other options, but Miranda said that he liked Bruno the best in a text. Jared Bush didn’t entirely understand why until he heard “Bruno, no, no, no.” Still, imagine an alternate reality where “We Don’t Talk About Oscar” wins an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
We Almost Saw Luisa’s Room
And It Could’ve Led to a Secret Amusement Park
Miranda’s First Fully Spanish Song
The Emotion Behind “Dos Oruguitas,” Though, Is Universal
Agustín & Félix Almost Got Powers
The Filmmakers Considered Giving the Dads Gifts, But Decided to Focus on Their Kids
When the Film’s Idea Came About
Five Years Ago Around the Same Time “Zootopia” Wrapped
There Was Nearly a Post-Credits Gag
But The Filmmakers Decided It Was Better to Go Out on an Emotional High
#1: Cut Madrigal Family Members
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The “Art of Encanto” book offers a glimpse of several characters who didn’t make the cut. The lineup included a gambler fortune teller boy called Jose, who kind of seems like a cross between Camilo and Bruno. There was nearly a woman with a bunny named Miranda, calling Antonio’s animal gift to mind. A little girl named Zoey had the ability to communicate with machines. Another girl named Fuega would’ve unleashed her fury through her fire powers. Amelia and Sofia were a pair of twins with contrasting auras. Pepa also almost had another sister named Leta while a character named Princesa filled Isabella’s flower power role. As big as the Casita is, it would’ve needed a lot more rooms to house all of these Madrigals.
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