Netflix's Animated Film "Steps" Scored by Emmy-Nominee Kris Bowers

Emmy-nominee Kris Bowers is infusing his musical talents into Netflix's animated comedy, "Steps", which was recorded in the iconic Abbey Road Studios between July and August. This movie, set to release on November 20, is Netflix Animation Studios' first fully in-house animated feature.

In "Steps," directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa present a refreshing take on Cinderella's infamous stepsisters. Aly Wong voices the character of Lilith, who causes chaos at the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand. In the scramble, her sister Margot, voiced by Stephanie Hsu, is magically turned into a frog. With the kingdom now in a pickle and under the control of a prince-obsessed miscreant, Lilith must partner with Cinderella, voiced by Amanda Seyfried, to restore order and show that traditionally portrayed 'villains' too deserve their 'happily ever after'. The fairy godmother is portrayed by Bette Midler, completing the star-filled ensemble.

Daniel Radcliffe also joins the project, lending his voice to a royal character, with further cast members including Young Mazino as Gef, the heartthrob, and Peter Dinklage as Roderick, the muscle.

Tzue expressed her respect for Bowers, praising his unwavering openness to new ideas and his unparalleled talent as a composer. "When he plays piano, it’s like he draws a string from what he’s feeling through the instrument to his audience", she shared.

Tzue shared that "Steps" is a heartfelt story about two sisters who discover they aren't so different after all. The film also bears personal significance for her as it resonates with her childhood experience of feeling like an outsider. Tzue's aim with the movie is to reach out to audiences who have ever felt like they don’t belong and reinforce the power of kindness in transforming lives.

Ripa, in his endorsement of Bowers, brings attention to the composer's intuitive, honest process of capturing the characters' deep emotions through his music, suggesting it was an essential factor in selecting him for the project. He said, "We knew instantly that he was the right composer for ‘Steps.''