thor-the-dark-worldAccording to the film’s latest poster, Carter Burwell will be scoring the superhero sequel Thor: The Dark World. The movie is directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, The Emperor’s New Clothes) and stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins. The sequel is set one year after The Avengers and follows the title character on a battle to save all the Nine Realms from a mysterious enemy older than the universe itself. Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (The Chronicles of Narnia, Captain America: The First Avenger) have written the script based on a story by Don Payne (Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer). Kevin Feige is producing the film for Marvel Studios. Patrick Doyle scored the previous Thor film directed by Branagh. Thor: The Dark World is set to be released on November 8, 2013 by Walt Disney Pictures.

Burwell is also scoring another high profile title to be released later this year that is expected to be a major awards contender. Check back for the announcement on this site within the next couple of weeks.

  1. Brent says:

    Carter Burwell is a mighty fine composer and all, but I really wished Patrick Doyle would have come back to score this one. His score, by a slim margin, was the best Marvel score to date.

    • EricM says:

      Wholeheartedly agree. I wish he would have made it back for 2. I love the first. Beautiful.

  2. Sirusjr says:

    Seems a strange choice to me. Burwell has mostly scored smaller more intimate dramas except for his Twilight stuff.

  3. Simon says:

    This continues Marvel’s weird tradition of not hiring the same composers for its sequels. Interesting choice though!

  4. Macejko says:

    I would also like Patrick Doyle’s return, but this is a great project for Burwell. Yes, he is best known for scores of smaller scale, but in Twilight he proved that he is no stranger in epicness and mighty tunes. I’m excited!

  5. ed says:

    Interesting choice. Burwell is used to large scale pictures, especially after his ‘Twilight’ stint. I didn’t mind Doyle’s attempts, but it sounded too influenced by Zimmer’s remote control; the Doyle sound suffered under it.

    There were rumors of Elliot Goldenthal and Ramin Djawadi being attached. Was a surprise to hear of Burwell’s involvement, but i’m sure he’ll deliver big.

    • Macejko says:

      Oh man, now little I’m less excited knowing that Ramin was actually being considered. His score would have been epic as hell. Dammit.

      • David says:

        The rumours of Dwajadi considered is because the director worked with him in GOT. Goldenthal wasn’t considered, he was named in Wikipedia. Doyle said that he was in talks to do it, but since that he only did the first film because of Branagh, seems that composers didn’t wanted him to return.

  6. Crossbones says:

    Now this got me worried and lest excited. If this is for a drama surely Carter Burwell is your guy but it isn’t. Patrick Doyle did a great job composing his score for Thor and it would have been great to see him back and hear the progression of his music. On the other hand at least it’s not Zimmer or RCP.

    • “If this is for a drama surely Carter Burwell is your guy but it isn’t.”

      Anyone who thinks Carter Burwell can only do restrained stuff should check out “Intolerable Cruelty.”

      I really hope someone remembers Jackman has already had his turn on Marvel with “X-Men: First Class” and hands him his hat.

  7. Daniel P. says:

    WHY?!

  8. Andre says:

    I always wish Carter would get more AAA titles, instead of always the Coen bros, or more arthouse. I loved his work on THE JACKAL. Can’t wait to hear this one.

  9. Ds says:

    I hope Marvel will continue to hire different composers for their sequels. So maybe we can get something epic for The Avengers 2 😀

    • Justin Boggan says:

      Unfortunately the rumor is Jackman may score that.

      • Brent says:

        I thought Jackman was rumored for the Captain America sequel? Not The Avengers 2…

        • I’d be fine if Alan Silvestri scored the “S.H.I.E.L.D.” pilot (or at least wrote the theme).

        • Justin Boggan says:

          Rumored on both. Though A2 I thought, though I could be wrong, was pretty much confirmed.

          But you know about rumors, right? They can be wrong. 🙂

      • David says:

        No. Henry Jackman will be scoring Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

  10. JAMO says:

    I Think that Bruwell is capable of making an acceptable score, but not iconic or memorable.

    My Hope-list:
    Alan Silvestri-The Avengers 2
    John Williams-Guardians of Galaxy *
    David Newman- Captain America 2 (I think he would give us surprises)*
    Brian Tyler- S.H.I.E.L.D

    Especially the ones with *

    • David says:

      Williams doesn’t work for anybody who is not Spielberg since 2005. The closest he was to do a non-Spielberg film (Deathly Hallows), he wasn’t able because of his commitment with War Horse. And the last time he scored a comic book film was almost 40 years ago.

  11. Macejko says:

    No more Silvestri. The Avengers score was absolutely horrible.

  12. Justin Boggan says:

    I wanted David Newman for the first Avengers, though I was worried about tyhe kind of score he would do, based on what kind of film it was turning out to be.

    So, knowing what they’ve established, I’d give him “Gurdians of the Galaxy”, based on his work on “Galaxy Quest”.

    At the monent, I really can’t think of who shoudl score those others. I mean, I have people I would pick, but the scores they would do, wouldn’t mesh with what I know the flms would be and what the film makers are deluded into thinking they need.

    Burwell on “Thor 2” is an interesting and daring choice. I listened to that interview about a month ago where he talked about that Twilight film and how he’d never really done a big action score like this before, and really enjoyed it. So, it’s no surprised he got this; he either was actively hunting some more big projects to further expand his wings, or he was sought out because that film score was fresh in the minds of Hollywood producers and directors. I suspect that will die out after one or two mroe films. Much like Thomas Newman whom I believe will be getting one or two more big projects because of Bond (FilmMusicReporter did say recently a big project would be announced soon).

  13. ed says:

    It’s interesting who Marvel choose to score their movies. They deliver a curveball and hire Burwell for ‘Thor’ – such an unexpected choice; and i wouldn’t be surprised to see Tyler Bates hired for ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ due to his association with the director – well he did do ‘Watchmen.’

    I’m sure Silvestri will return for ‘The Avengers 2’ (i personally found it very generic), seeing as Joss Whedon will be back in the chair.

    David Newman would have been perfect for a Marvel movie; a really underappretiated composer, whose ‘The Spirit’ score was the only redeeming feature from such a dreadful film.

    John Williams would be good, but he has done action-adventure scores to death. Looking forward to hearing his score for Pixars ‘Inside Out,’ and no doubt, back to a galaxy far, far away.

    • Justin Boggan says:

      There’s no telling whom will be chosen by Whedon.

      “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (film): Carter Burwell
      “Serenity” (initially Burwell, then David Newman)
      “Cabin In the Woods” (Anthony Marienelli)
      “The Avengers” (Silvestri)
      “Much Adu About Nothing” (he scored it himself)

      He has no composer he goes to regularly. He said he likes Burwell’s work, so there’s always a chance he may come back to him, especially nowthat Burwell is hot from that Twilight film and now the second Thor film — assuming his schedule isn’t tied up.

      He said Newman’s theme for River, in “Serenity”, moved him to tears. Apparently the tears weren’t big enough to hire him again.

  14. Sikanderhyut says:

    I love Carter Burwell’s scores to death. I try getting my hands on everything he’s ever composed.
    But THOR IS MY FAVORITE, Patrick Doyle did excellent with the first score and Thor’s themes, and He Should’ve Been Brought Back.
    You NEED a loud, bombastic, complete orchestral score for Marvel movies (except IronMan– that hero is too technologically modern to deserve an orchestra-based score) and Burwell’s scores are anything but orchestral. His Twilight scores are as close as one can get to a Burwell & Orchestra combination.

    • Trent Easton Navarro says:

      “and Burwell’s scores are anything but orchestral”

      Uhm, ever heard Conspiracy Theory? Or The Jackal? Rob Roy maybe? A Knight’s Tale? Burwell definitely knows how to use an orchestra.

  15. Justin Boggan says:

    Burwell has removed this, and “August: Osage County” from the lsit of upcoming projects from his website. Perhaps he’s been replaced on both.

  16. Bruno Costa says:

    No, Carter Burwell’s “Thor: The Dark World” score was rejected and it was replaced by Brian Tyler.

    Don’t worry with Brian Tyler. Brian Tyler is a genius.