james-newton-howardJames Newton Howard is currently scoring the upcoming historical drama Parkland. The film is written and directed by Peter Landesman and stars Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Jeremy Strong, Jacki Weaver, Jackie Earle Haley, Colin Hanks and Ron Livingston. The film chronicles the events leading up to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and is named for the Parkland Memorial Hospital where JFK was rushed on Nov. 22, 1963. Playtone’s Tom Hanks & Gary Goetzman (My Big Fat Greek WeddingThe Polar Express) and Exclusive Media’s Nigel Sinclair & Guy East (Let Me InEnd of Watch) are producing the project with Bill Paxton. Newton Howard has previously scored Hanks’ directorial feature Larry Crowne and also has also written the music for Playtone’s Charlie Wilson’s War. The composer’s music is being recorded this week at Abbey Road Studios in London. Parkland is expected to be released later this year in time for awards consideration by Open Road Films.

As previously reported, the composer also has the sequel The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Disney’s Maleficent coming up. His latest project, After Earth, is currently playing in theaters.

  1. Lee says:

    This is great news. Let’s hope he finally gets his Oscar. It’s so long overdue.

  2. Sarah says:

    And the fantastc actor Tom Welling!!!!!!!!!

  3. Mary says:

    Forgot Tom Welling! Maybe because ‘comes from the television or because’ his father is not a famous actor? I hate all the snobs and the fake intellectuals!