The interview sessions with the duo, including the teaser posted by Walt Disney, have amassed more than 21 million views so far
Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben recently had the honor of speaking with the director and actors of Mufasa: The Lion King, the newest musical drama from Disney.
Disney Philippines encouraged the two vocalists from the well-known Filipino band to meet some of the most prominent people involved in the movie, such as composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and director Barry Jenkins.
Jenkins, renowned for his critically praised works like Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, was available for an interview with Miguel and Paolo. They also got to know Miranda, the film’s award-winning composer, who gave them an inside look at how he came up with the songs for a tale as important as Mufasa: The Lion King.
Miranda offered a glimpse into his songwriting approach, explaining, “You just have to honor those impulses. Kind of like—you have these assignments, and you daydream, and you think about stuff, and you listen to stuff, until you have this sort of alchemy.” His words not only highlighted the magic behind the music but also underscored the collaborative spirit of the film.
For the Benjamin brothers, the opportunity was not just a professional milestone but a deeply personal one. Both twins grew up with a close bond that reflects the sibling dynamics explored in the movie.
In addition to speaking with the filmmakers, Miguel and Paolo interviewed the cast members, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Tiffany Boone, who voice key characters in the film. The atmosphere was light-hearted and engaging, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. even prompting the duo to sing a few lines from their hit song “Leaves.” The impromptu performance left everyone in the room delighted.
The interview came at a busy time for Ben&Ben, who were in the middle of rehearsals for their sold-out concert, The Traveller Across Dimensions. However, when the opportunity to interview the Mufasa team came through, the duo didn’t hesitate. “We felt we could relate well to the theme of brotherhood portrayed in the film because of the fact that we’re twins and we grew up really close to each other, much like Mufasa and Taka,” shared Miguel Benjamin. “Also, the fact that the film involved such great storytellers in it, both in film and music, made it an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Paolo echoed his brother’s sentiments, reflecting on the honor of interviewing the Mufasa team and representing the Philippines. “We felt that representing our country in a special interview such as this was a big task to fulfill, but we tried to give it our best by coming up with questions that would allow the cast and the directors the freedom to be just themselves while sharing more about the film, their insights, and their memorable experiences working on it. What we noticed the most, though, is how bonded the entire team behind the film is. It’s like they’re family already.”
The interview sessions quickly became a viral sensation, amassing over 5 million views across social media platforms in less than a day. This does not include the interview teaser with Miguel and Paolo six days ago on Walt Disney’s Facebook page, which has already garnered nearly 16 million views to date.
Mufasa: The Lion King combines photorealistic computer-generated visuals with live-action production techniques. Barry Jenkins is the director, Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak are the producers, and Peter Tobyansen is the executive producer. The film is expected to enthrall viewers with its poignant narrative and memorable music, which includes songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Mufasa: The Lion King promises to be a memorable cinematic experience as the holidays draw near.
Walt Disney Pictures is now showing Mufasa: The Lion King in all Philippine theaters around the country.
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