‘Sing’ Film Updates: Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey Attend TIFF Premiere; Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder Collaborate For Soundtrack

‘Sing’ actors Scarlette Johansson and Matthew McConaughey are among the stars who attended the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Meanwhile, Stevie Wonder and Ariane Grande have collaborated on a track entitled “Faith” for the film’s soundtrack.

According to Reuters, the latest animated comedy feature by Illumination Entertainment recently premiered at the TIFF. Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson and singer-songwriter Tori Kelly also performed songs from the film during the premiere.

Co-Stars Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson were among the principal cast members who attended the red carpet event last September 11. McConaughey voices the optimistic koala Buster Moon, who struggles to save his theater by holding a singing competition to raise money. Johansson plays the crested porcupine Ash, who headlines an alternative rock band with her boyfriend.

The film follows Buster Moon as he organizes a singing contest with his best friend Eddie the sheep in order to save his failing theater business. The entire town then joins in for auditions including an overworked mother pig, a gambling mouse, a timid teenage elephant, a punk rocker porcupine, and a gorilla who seeks to leave his criminal family by pursuing a singing career.

During a red carpet interview, McConaughey teased, "I don't need to get serious about anything… There's not a big statement to make here. It's very human, the story, but it's fun."

Johansson said, "You're really just able to kind of give it everything you have and be able to be loud and proud and then pull it back and play with the vocal nuances."

According to Gulf News, Reese Witherspoon also expressed her excitement for the new film. She said, “I play a mum who has 25 kids, and I think a lot of parents can relate to the idea that you give up a lot of your own dreams for your children… I get to, through the singing competition, have my chance to be a singer, and it’s a really sweet, wish-fulfillment moment.”

Witherspoon plays the domestic housewife pig Rosita, who gave up her dreams of music to become a devoted wife and mother.

Meanwhile, multi-award winning musician and record producer Stevie Wonder will release a new song for the film’s soundtrack entitled “Faith”, which he worked on with pop star Ariana Grande.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the track was written and produced by Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco. It also marks Wonder’s first ever contribution to a film in 20 years. The track’s official release date is yet to be announced but a short preview of “Faith” has been released online.

‘Sing’ is an upcoming animated comedy musical film written and directed by Garth Jennings. It is produced by Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, Hammer & Tongs, Dentsu, and Fuji Entertainment Network.

The film is scheduled to premiere in U.S. theaters on December 21, 2016.