Could Justin Timberlake’s new song be the next Happy?

LOS ANGELES — Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling, taken from the upcoming DreamWorks Animation release Trolls is a song that can get heads bobbing and feet tapping. The track that plays over the closing credits on the film, and is an earworm sure to take off this summer.

It could also take off on a level similar to Pharrell Williams’ Happy (from Despicable Me 2) back in 2013. Early on in the awards season that year, it was clear Williams’ jam was a catchy pop culture hit. But when Universal began pitching it for Oscar consideration, I admit I sort of scoffed. Boy was I wrong. (Happy even gave eventual winner Let It Go a run for its money.)

It’s notable that Timberlake doesn’t only offer this peppy tune and a lead voice performance on Trolls. He also serves as the Executive Music Producer, contributing another three original songs to the album and working closely with the rest of the actors on performances.

“He has cast his producing magic on most of the tracks,” producer Gina Shay said.

Covers of songs such as Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound Of Silence and Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors are also featured, with the latter a duet between Timberlake and co-star Anna Kendrick.

The version of Can’t Stop The Feeling in the film will feature all of the characters singing along with him.

This could be an original song Oscar player in the making. Make no mistake, whoever is tapped to produce the 89th Academy Awards would be thrilled at the prospect of Timberlake performing on the show. The promotion of popular acts can be a ratings boost for a telecast that is constantly craving more viewership.

Whether the film itself can crack what already appears to be a very tight animated feature race remains to be seen, but the technology used to create the look and textures of the film — as evidenced already by footage screened at CinemaCon in April — yields a vibrant and unique aesthetic that is sure to impress animators. REUTERS