13 Fun Facts About Jingle Jangle on Netflix

Netflix is bringing out the best of holiday cheer this year, thanks in large part to Jingle Jangle:  A Christmas Journey, Netflix’s first live-action musical!  Written and directed by David E. Talbert and produced by his wife Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Jingle Jangle will be available to stream beginning November 13th.  I had the opportunity to participate in a virtual Cookies and Cocktail Happy Hour as well as a virtual press junket.  Do you want to know how long it took to make Jingle Jangle?  Or which scene was the most challenging to film?  If so, keep reading for 13 fun facts about Jingle Jangle on Netflix!

13 Fun Facts About Jingle Jangle on Netflix

When I received an invitation to participate in a virtual Cookies and Cocktail Happy Hour hosted by Danni Rose and Gia Peppers, I was beyond excited!   The Talberts also made a surprise guest appearance and the fun continued when we were able to participate in a virtual press junket that same weekend.  Not only were we able to interview several of the cast members, including Madalen Mills,  Kieron Dyer and Lisa Davina Phillip, but we were also able to interview the Talberts.  You can read my spoiler free parent movie review here, but in the meantime, here are several fun facts about Jingle Jangle:  A Christmas Journey!

• The movie is Netflix’s first live-action musical and as a result, families can expect an amazing soundtrack.  Lyn Sisson-Talbert said that the soundtrack will be released on November 13, 2020, and features songs like “This Day” by Usher featuring Kiana Lede.   
• Speaking of the soundtrack, Lyn Sisson-Talbert also said that she and David E. Talbert are working on a sing-along.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed!  After the movie was over, my son told me he loved the music so I hope we get a sing-along soon.
• One of the characters in the movie is named Edison and he’s played by Kieron Dyer.  The Talberts said that this was Kieron’s first acting role.  Kieron definitely chose a great role for his first movie!
• The movie was filmed in England.  Lynn Sisson-Talbert said that her family moved to London for 8 months so that they could film the movie.
• David E. Talbert said that Jingle Jangle is 20 years in the making!  He also said that the movie was inspired by several musicals, including Mary Poppins, Dr. Doolittle, and Willy Wonka.
• Not only is Jingle Jangle a musical, but it also includes animation and CGI.  I was especially fascinated with some of the scenes which show the characters as toy-like figures.  During the interview, David E. Talbert said that it was Lyn Sisson-Talbert’s idea to do this.  You can see a clip of my interview with the Talberts by playing the video below.  

•  Because the movie is a musical and includes animation and CGI, you can imagine how difficult some of the scenes were to film.  The Talberts both said that the dancing scenes were some of the most difficult scenes to film, but Lyn Sisson-Talbert also said that it was challenging at first to learn how to make an animated film, as well as a movie with CGI.  They succeeded, though, and it’s fun to see it all come together! Madalen Mills, who plays Journey, said that the most difficult scene for her to film was the scene involving Square Root of Possible, in large part because she was attached to wires while dancing.
• Lisa Davina Philip’s character, Mrs. Johnston, is extremely funny.  When I asked her whether or not she ad libbed any of her lines, she said yes and that it was encouraged by David E. Talbert!  To see a clip of my interview with Lisa Davina, please click here.
• The costume design in the movie is spectacular and incorporates different cultures.  Who came up with the idea?  David E. Talbert said that it it was Lyn Sisson-Talbert’s idea to infuse Victorian style with authentic African design.  For example, designers flew to Nigeria for ideas.  
• Madalen Mills,  Kieron Dyer and Lisa Davina Phillip were asked what were their favorite parts of their roles.  Lisa Davina said that because her character delivered mail, her favorite part was driving a postal truck.  Madalen and Kieron both said that it was how similar they are to their characters.  For example, Madalen said that she is adventurous and feisty, just like her character Journey.  Kieron said that he’s optimistic, just like his character Edison.
• Madalen, Kieron and Lisa Davina also told us their favorite scenes in the movie.  Lisa Davina loved that her character was always teasing (and chasing) Forest Whitaker’s character, Jeronicus Jangle.  Kieron said a scene that occurs in a wind tunnel is his favorite.  Madalen also enjoyed the wind tunnel scene but added that she also loved the scene involving a snowball fight 🙂 
• Madelen and Lisa Davina both have a background in theater performing on stage.  They both said that performing on stage is more difficult than filming a movie, because there is a larger audience and everything has to be done in a more grandiose style so that the audience can see and hear the performers. 
• Be on the lookout for two children’s books that will be published based on the movie.  The Square Root of Possible:  A Jingle Jangle Story is a picture book geared towards children 4-8 years old and The Square Root of Possible: The Invention of Jeronicus Jangle is geared for middler schoolers (8-12 years old).  Both books will be released on December 1, 2020 and they are written by the Talberts.

As you can see, there’s a lot to look forward to with Jingle Jangle!

About Jingle Jangle:  A Christmas Journey

A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (newcomer Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within. From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert and featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, and Davy Nathan, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.