‘Encanto’: Bruno Was Originally Named Oscar, But Had to Change the Name Over a ‘Legal Snag’ – ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Wouldn’t Be the Same

Encanto is a global phenomenon but for more than one reason. The Disney animated movie brings the studio’s magical quality to families with a great message. The Encanto character Bruno Madrigal was originally named Oscar. As a result of a legal snag, the world got the iconic song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” that took over the top music billboard.

Bruno Madrigal has the power to see into the future in ‘Encanto’

Encanto follows the Madrigal family and a magical candle that all started with Abuela Alma (voiced by María Cecilia Botero). The candle grants the family members with powers when they come of age. However, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) is the only member of the family with no gift. She notices that the candle’s powers are fading and must figure out a way to save the magic before the very fabric of the family is torn apart.

Bruno (voiced by John Leguizamo) is Mirabel’s uncle. He has the power of seeing into the future, although his deliverance of bad news outcasts him from the family. After his disappearance, the Madrigal family refuses to even speak Bruno’s name. However, the family doesn’t realize that he’s hiding in the walls of their home and intends to stay there until Mirabel comes along.

‘Encanto’ Jared Bush said that Bruno’s name was changed from Oscar over a ‘legal snag’

The New York Times spoke with Encanto director Jared Bush about Bruno and the development of the character. Apparently, the character went through several iterations over the course of the film’s development. Bruno was initially much closer to Mirabel’s age.

Bruno was originally named Oscar, but Bush said that a “legal snag” made them change the character’s name. This occurred over several real-life people who already have the name Oscar Madrigal in Colombia. As a result, he started looking at alternative names and created a list.

Bush sent a list of five new names to songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and he responded, “Definitely Bruno.” The name ultimately worked out just perfectly.

“I couldn’t figure out why he was so definitive,” Bush said, “Until two days later when we heard, ‘Bruno, no, no, no.’”

If the name Oscar stuck, the world wouldn’t have “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which left a massive impression.

‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ song is Disney’s biggest hit since ‘Let It Go’ from ‘Frozen’

Disney submitted the song “Dos Oruguitas” to the Academy for Oscars 2022 consideration. However, the song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” ultimately left the biggest impression on audiences around the world. It’s the first-ever original Disney song to top the charts. It’s also Miranda’s first song to achieve this feat.

The last big original Disney song to make such a big impression was Frozen‘s “Let It Go.” However, Encanto‘s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” surpassed the behemoth as the highest chart-topper since Disney’s “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas.