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Hans Zimmer Hints at Both 'The Dark Knight Rises' & Superman
by Alex Billington
October 28, 2010
Source: NBC San Diego
Although we have at least two years to go until The Dark Knight Rises and a few more for Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, that doesn't mean we can't start hyping up both movies this early. Christopher Nolan's regular go-to composer, Hans Zimmer, recently talked with NBC San Diego (via /Film) and, even though nothing is signed yet, pretty much confirmed he's scoring both The Dark Knight Rises and The Man of Steel. "[Chris] was going to come over next week," Zimmer says. "We start early. I know he's puttering around with ideas, and we sort of sneak up on things." Yep, they're already starting work on those next few movies now.
Zimmer has plenty more to say, though, including talking about how great it is to work with Chris Nolan:
"Working with Chris, he gives me all the freedom in the world and encourages me to go and be daring and unusual and crazy and all those sorts of things and be able to be the sort of emotional center of the film," he told PopcornBiz. "It's very give and take. I'll start long before he starts shooting. Our conversations start there and it goes both ways: we just have conversations about the movie and less about what the music has to do, and it really comes out of that, whereby I felt that there was a real emotional core to be had and that that was something that the music had to do and I hung on that for dear life."
I've been to lucky enough to speak with the legendary Hans Zimmer a couple of times, and in our most recent interview, that's exactly what he talked about, how early he starts working on these movies. Some composers don't start until the entire movie is finished, but Zimmer starts working with Nolan early on, sometimes so he can even hear some of the music while filming the scenes himself. In addition to Batman, Zimmer was asked about Superman, and if he'd work with John Williams' iconic theme once again.
"It's a hard one,” mused Zimmer, “but I followed one of the most iconic things on 'Batman' with Chris as well, and it's the same thing. You are allowed to reinvent, but you have to try to be as good or at least as iconic and it has to resonate and it has to become a part of the zeitgeist. That's the job. On 'Gladiator' I remember people always talking about 'Spartacus' and I kept telling them, 'When you saw "Spartacus" and how it affected it you, that's how I want a modern audience to be affected by what we do now.' So I think ultimately you're supposed to reinvent.”
So that sounds like we probably won't hear the old theme and Zimmer, Nolan and Snyder will be going for something new. Zack Snyder hasn't worked with Hans Zimmer before, but I'm sure he won't mind working with one of today's best composers. Being a huge fan of Zimmer (if you couldn't tell), I'm always excited to hear him talk about working on any project, especially these two. The Dark Knight's score, which he worked with James Newton Howard to create, is one of my all-time favorites. Although it's early, I'm already curious to hear what his scores sound like for both The Dark Knight Rises and The Man of Steel. How about you?
24 Comments
1
Epic......
Jericho on Oct 28, 2010
2
I hope Hans Zimmer returns to do music again, for Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, the fourth movie to that movie franchise. He did the music for Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, and for Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End, and his did a awesome job on the music for both of those movies, so i really really hope he comes back to do the music for Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, which is coming out to movie theaters in "soon to be" 6 months from now, on May 20th, 2011 Friday ! .
Sean on Oct 28, 2010
3
Alex! For shame! You really undersold Zimmer: He's won an Oscar, 2 Golden Globes, 2 Grammy's, and has been nominated for an Emmy for the miniseries "The Pacific". He isn't just one of todays best composers; He's one of the greatest of all time.
ModernAmericanMan on Oct 28, 2010
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It's amazing how diverse he can be. It's crazy that he scored the Holiday along with a lot of darker movies.
First World Problem on Oct 28, 2010
6
This is the kind of news I was dreading - no John Williams theme in the next Superman. That's just not right - even Smallville has used snippets of Williams' music on occasion; people automatically associate it with the character. Do all the 'experimental' stuff you like with Batman, but leave one of the greatest film scores of all time alone! Zimmer is good at what he does, but he isn't fit to lick Williams' boots. In his twenty-plus years of composing, there's probably only a couple of his scores that stick in the memory well enough to hum absent-mindedly to yourself a decade after first watching the film. That's my yardstick for a classic theme, and Williams has dozens of them. Gladiator aside, melody ain't his strong suit. And shouldn't Snyder be free to choose his own composer, rather than have his producer force one upon him? Is Snyder just Nolan's puppet to do the day-to-day slog because Nolan is too busy to direct both? Worrying...
Mathieu on Oct 28, 2010
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#6 get over it, yes John Williams did a great score for Superman but its time to move on. Zack Snyder only composer he uses is Tyler Bates. he would not be right to make a good score for Superman imo
tazz on Oct 28, 2010
8
Evening, Alex and FS crew! I find there's less and less need for my unsolicited editing with every new post you guys make. Couldn't be more pleased. I've even decided to stop complaining about your usually faulty application of the term "Teaser Trailer." Languages are, after all, living entities, and Alex, you have SINGLE HANDEDLY changed the meaning of that term to "the first trailer." Congratulations on that. If it's not too much to ask though, please check here ( http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tease ) and confirm that the word "tease" should NOT be used like it is in the title. You make this same diction error kind of often in your titles. It really sounds like Hanz Zimmer is making fun of Batman and Superman. He's not teasing the movies, he's "revealing his involvement in," or "giving us a tease," or "hinting at his upcoming work." I know those phrases aren't as concise, but they're also not mistakes. Will be happy to check back and see this post deleted. Thanks again, as always.
Bobby on Oct 28, 2010
9
Attention!!!! Do you guys not read on here!!?? Hans isnt even signed on yet to do superman, he was commenting on if he GETS the job, but i see a lot of people writing as if he has the job, he probabbly will, but Mathieu, settle down and check your facts, tell me a score that williams has done recently? hes past his time, while i love williams music, its all 70's and 80's and early nineties, zimmer is a composer for this decade. Mind you this new superman is a reboot, and has been said will be a new take and look and not be connected to any other films. So whith that said why would you use the same music...a reboot means "new" thats why routh wont be back! nor will williams music be used. Im all for this, cause its time for supes to have a new fresh take.
casey c on Oct 28, 2010
10
#7 I'm entitled to my opinion - and I find it distressing that so many current film fans seem to have no respect for film history. It's the kind of attitude that leads to these endless remakes and reboots - for a certain type of mindset, everything now is replaceable or disposable; you're not allowed to love something anymore, you have to 'move on' or 'get over it'. 'New' does not necessarily always equal 'better'. And certainly I would prefer someone of Zimmer's class and talent to Bates (although as Bates is still a relatively inexperienced composer, who's to say what he might be capable of given the appropriate canvas and opportunity?) but I don't see what is so terrible about a tip of the hat to those that have come before, woven in amongst a tapestry of new themes. Zimmer needs to check his ego a tad, I think. On a side note, the whole point of my referencing Snyder's choice of composer was not to endorse the person he has worked with up to this point, but to query whether this is symptomatic of a greater problem: how much creative freedom is he going to have? Is he just a hired hand?
Mathieu on Oct 28, 2010
11
#8 - I know that, but all we're talking about here is rumour. The assumption is that he will get the gig, and I'm talking about how I would feel if that transpired. Casino Royale was a reboot, with no connection to anything that came before in the series. Judi Dench remained as M, and Monty Norman's iconic Bond theme cropped up at the end of the movie. Would anyone dare suggest making a Bond film without the world-famous Bond theme? (Never Say Never Again doesn't count... ;)) What memorable scores has Williams done since the 80s? I guess you haven't heard of those little indie flicks Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, Harry Potter... He also has Tintin and War Horse out next year. Regardless, no one is saying they have to hire Williams to do the next Superman film (although I'd love it if they did) but that it would be nice if the new composer utilised Williams' theme at least once in the new movie. Incidentally, I would guess that the reason John Williams has slowed down a bit lately probably has something to do with the fact he's nearly 80, for crying out loud.
Mathieu on Oct 28, 2010
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Mathieu, Although Williams is a master composer of near untouchable talent, I think it's time to move on from the original Superman theme. When it comes to Batman, I always think of Danny Elfman's score from 1989, but The Dark Knight score was a great accomplishment and definitely help redifine the franchise (Although James Newton Howard had great contributions to that score as well). Point is: It's hard to judge whether or not the new Superman score will be anything to remember--No official composer yet, so nothing to listen to in an effort to review. However, I would agree that Williams is possibly the greatest film composer that has ever lived. His sheet of memorable composition runs far, far too long for any other composer to compare to.
ModernAmericanMan on Oct 28, 2010
13
"In Zimmer I trust". This man is THE most brilliant composer in centuries, and we need to trust in him. He will NOT steer us wrong. Even I was wondering how he could possibly tackle the daunting task of creating a new sound for Batman, but the man is a freakin' genius. He figured it out, and it works perfectly. Not-to-mention the "Pirates" films. If he becomes the main composer for "The Man of Steel"-- I'm going to be nervous, yet excited, because whatever he does will work amazingly! Mark my words.
Brian on Oct 28, 2010
14
Brian, you have a keen sense of irony. Well done.
PhoenixWright on Oct 28, 2010
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I would like it if they used Williams' theme at some point in the film even if its only at the end or when (if its an origin story/flashback) he puts on the suit for the first time or comes back from the dead or whatever, even have a theme influenced by it. But I do think when the score of a movie is as important as it is for these types of films the composer needs a fair bit of a free hand. I often listen to Batman Begins and TDK scores and they just work really well when the composer is allowed use his creative talents
Ross on Oct 29, 2010
17
If it's set in the same universe as the other Superman-films don't stray to far away from the classic theme and sound. If it's a new take, do something new.
ryderup on Oct 29, 2010
18
I'm starting to warm up to that title... "The Dark Knight Rises"... sounds pretty epic actually!!!
kinks! on Oct 29, 2010
19
Zimmer to me is the best composer ever.I am so glad he will be working on two great projects that deservs all the best.
Fisherr on Oct 29, 2010
20
HOLY SHIT!!! This is the best news I've heard all week! I love me some Zimmer!!!
Geoff on Oct 29, 2010
21
#8 What are you talking about? "Teaser Trailer" is an accepted term...everyone know what it means. Let me guess...you correct people when they describe something as cool by pointing out that it's physical temperature is actually warm? Some people try so hard to look smart and yet fall on their face when it comes to the idea of context and the subjectivity of definitions.
Geoff on Oct 29, 2010
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#21 I agree. It is presumptuous to assume Alex would delete this post by stating, "Will be happy to check back and see this post deleted." Secondly, dictionary.com is not the only source for definitions. Here's another definition for "tease" that fits what Alex was trying to convey: 3. To arouse hope, desire, or curiosity in without affording satisfaction. You are limiting the "living entity" of language Bobby by drowning it in a pool of singular definition. As someone who is obviously passionate about language, you should have done your research before insisting on providing only one resource of reference. That is the mistake of a pompous writer. Provide yourself with due diligence in your process before criticizing the body of work of a respected author, as Alex is.
ModernAmericanMan on Oct 29, 2010
23
I think Hans Zimmer could definitely come up with his own score for super man. I personally loved danny elfman's batman but I loved Hans Zimmer's better. Just because it's a classic doesn't mean it can't be beat. Hans Zimmer is fully capable of composing an updated version of Superman, much like the way he updated the batman soundtrack.
Allsoundtracks on Nov 2, 2010
24
well i have say i would be the first in line to buy the score before the man of steel comes out.yes i am knew at this,but take all the movies that williams did and how great they fit each movie,than also take zimmers music like batman,sherlock holmes,inception,pirates the list is too long same as williams,they both are talented composers,so do i think zimmer can hit the man of steel,hell yes and i can't wait to here it,i wish both movies were coming out 2011 and not 2012.i have nothing against williams loved his music and always will.williams superman was the best,but i think zimmer will get the job done for the man of steel,so for all of you that keep saying use the same score,WY the score was great but it is time for zimmer to let him do what he does best give us great music.but i do have an idea zimmer and howard did batman and dark night in wich darknight should of got an oscar,but got robbed,well done guys the score was perfect.so let zimmer and williams do the man of steel,now if williams says no zimmer will still get it done,but what if williams says yes,think about it take the best 2 composers put them together with nolan,i have chills just thinking about it,so there is my take,i do have a question ,does any one know if zimmer has any dvds out of him in concert or any videos of his music that i can buy.
gino on Nov 10, 2010
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