Lin-Manuel Miranda Explains Why He Didn't Write Songs forMoana 2: 'There Was Never an Opportunity' (Exclusive)

Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Lin-Manuel Mirandareveals why he didn’t return to the world ofMoanafor therecently-released sequel. The Tony winner, 44, told PEOPLE at theMufasa: The Lion Kingpremiere on Monday, Dec. 9, that participating inMoana 2wasn’t entirely in the cards for him. Miranda wrote the music for the original 2016 movie, which starredAuliʻi Cravalhoas Moana andDwayne “The Rock” Johnsonas demigod Maui. Miranda added that he’s “really proud" that composers Opetaia Foa’i, Mark Mancina,Abigail Barlow and Emily Bearworked on the animated sequel.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Is Back inHamiltonas Nathan Lane Sings R-RatedLion Kingin John Mulaney's Star-StuddedSNLBroadway Skit

“It means no sleeping for a couple of days,” Lane and Mulaney sing together. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The comedian then whisks everyone to the 1990s, when cartoon mascots began to take over the city.Jason SudeikisandWill Forte, who’s dressed as Elmo, break out into a parody of “Look Down” fromLes Misérables.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Made 'Many Calls' Asking forWickedCameo but Director Decided It'd Be 'Too Distracting': 'Sorry, Lin!'

Lin-Manuel Miranda in New York City on Jan. 7, 2025; Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo inWicked(2024).Photo:Mike Coppola/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures Mike Coppola/Getty; Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures EvenLin-Manuel Mirandawasn’t exempt from those vying for a part inWicked.According to the movie’s directorJon M. Chu, the famed composer and actor made “many calls” to him, pitching himself for a very specific (albeit small) role.As Chu, 45, says in the commentary forWicked’s newly released digital edition, perVariety, Miranda — whom he previously worked with on 2021’sIn the Heights— wanted to play the Munchkinland citizen who, at the beginning of the movie, asks Glinda (Ariana Grande) of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), “Is it true you were her friend?

Lincoln the Bald Eagle Is the Lucky Flier Who Gets a Bird's-Eye View to Every Philadelphia Eagles Home Game

Lincoln the Bald Eagle.Photo:philadelphia eagles/tiktok philadelphia eagles/tiktok A 27-year-oldbald eaglenamed Lincoln has become a fan favorite at Philadelphia Eagles home games.AlthoughLincolnlives at theAmerican Eagle Foundationin Tennessee, football fans in the City of Brotherly Love have grown fond of the North American bird of prey, who was chosen as the team’s mascot in 2018.Lincoln, the bald eagle.Emilee Chinn/Getty"Even though we’re flying him for the Philadelphia Eagles, we’re doing it in a way that allows us to educate the public on why this very beautiful, majestic animal needs protection still to this day," Jessica Hall, executive director at the American Eagle Foundation, toldKnox Newson Tuesday, Jan.

Linda Cardellini's Desire to Play 'a Badass Bitch' AfterDead to MeInspiredNo Good DeedCreator: 'A No-Brainer' (Exclusive)

Linda Cardellini in ‘No Good Deed’.Photo:SAEED ADYANI/Netflix SAEED ADYANI/Netflix Linda Cardelliniwas the catalyst forNo Good Deed, according to show creator Liz Feldman.Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about her new series, Feldman, 47, says she was in the midst of filming her other show,Dead to Me,when Cardellini, 49, gave her the idea to writeNo Good Deed.“We were shooting the third season ofDead to Mewhen I was starting to develop this idea,” Feldman says of the new series, which premiered on Netflix Dec.