The Spice Girls Were Almost the Muses
From the beginning of the 1997 animated Disney film Hercules, the five muses help set the stage for the events. These five women, based on the various goddesses of Greek mythology, provide much of the film's music. The film's composer, Alan Menken, originally wanted the Spice Girls to perform as the muses for one of the movie's most popular songs, "I Won't Say." Due to scheduling conflicts, the British girl group apparently declined to lend their voices.
Ultimately, the film's composers used more gospel-influenced music than pop music. This change in casting demonstrates the flexibility of Disney's creative process and its ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. While the Spice Girls would have brought a different energy to the film, the decision to embrace a gospel style added a unique and soulful dimension to the music of Hercules, contributing to its overall appeal.
