Multiple Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey has recorded the song “Almost Home” for Disney’s March 8 release of the 3D movie “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi.
“Almost Home” will be released as a single by Carey’s label, Island Def Jam, on Feb. 19, 2013. Award-winning photographer/director David LaChapelle will direct Carey in the music video for “Almost Home.” The two long-time collaborators are reuniting in what LaChapelle describes as “a duet between Mariah and the movie.” LaChapelle photographed Carey previously for album covers, and directed her in the music video “Loverboy.” Disney, Carey and Island Def Jam plan to launch a promotional campaign to support the single, the video and the film.
“‘Almost Home’ has a message that works beautifully with the film,” Mariah Carey says of the song she co-wrote and co-produced for “Oz The Great and Powerful.” “It’s a feel-good record; it gives you the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love.”
“Almost Home” is performed by Mariah Carey, produced by Mariah Carey and Stargate for 45th & 3rd Music LLC, written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen and Mariah Carey. Courtesy of Island Def Jam Music Group/Universal Music Group.
“Oz The Great and Powerful” imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.
“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Josh Donen and Philip Steuer are serving as executive producers. “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.
— By Scott Hettrick