New Justin Timberlake songs are on the way this year — but they’re for the Dreamworks’ computer-animated musical comedy Trolls.
The SexyBack and Cry Me a River singer will write and perform “several songs on the soundtrack” according to The Hollywood Reporter. In addition to his role as executive music producer for Trolls, he’s signed on to voice a character in the film. “I have always envisioned bringing the two worlds of film and music together for one epic event [and] couldn’t be more excited that they will collide in DreamWorks’ Trolls,” said Timberlake in a statement.
Also starring the voice of Anna Kendrick, Trolls is inspired by the colorful-haired toys which were popular in the 1960s. The film will tell the tale of Princess Poppy (Kendrick) and the “hilariously hardcore survivalist” Branch (Timberlake) adventuring far from their home base and, of course, singing along the way.
The film has “fantastic music at its core,” according to DreamWorks. “Justin is an amazingly versatile artist and producer whose unprecedented creative talents provide a unique voice and sound for our movie,” said the studio’s execs Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria.
The nine-time Grammy winning singer last released new music, The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2, in 2013. That record, which featured singles Not a Bad Thing and Drink You Away, was nominated for a Grammy and has sold over a million copies in the U.S. In recent years, the musician has also developed his acting career with significant roles in films like The Cohen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis and the thriller Runner Runner which also starred Ben Affleck.
Also upcoming for the pop star is a concert film delving into his 20/20 Experience World Tour and he’s signed on an A-list director: Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme, best known for The Silence of the Lambs.
Trolls is set for a November 4, 2016, release.
