Hans Zimmer is currently scoring Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049. While we first heard of the composer’s involvement in the project back in May, Villeneuve clarified in a recent interview with Studio Cine Live that the composer is collaborating with Benjamin Wallfisch on the score and the theme written for the movie by the film’s original composer Johann Johannsson who is still involved in the project will be used in the score. The sci-fi thriller starring Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista and Jared Leto takes place thirty years after the events of the first film and follows a new blade runner who unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. Hampton Fancher and Michael Green (Green Lantern) have written the screenplay. Ridley Scott who directed the 1982 original film (scored by Vangelis) is producing the project with Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove (The Blind Side, Insomnia). Blade Runner 2049 will be released on October 6, 2017 by Warner Bros. Pictures. Visit the official movie website for updates.
‘Blade Runner 2049’ to Feature Music by Hans Zimmer
Posted: July 29, 2017 by filmmusicreporter in Film Scoring AssignmentsTags: Benjamin Wallfisch, Blade Runner 2049, Denis Villeneuve, Hans Zimmer, Johann Johannsson
That’s technically a Reunion, between, Ridley Scott & Hans; that’s awesome. 😀 I think Hans should do another project with Working Title Films, and one of the Gregson-Williams Brothers (either, Rupert or Harry), as that’ll be cool. 🙂
So disappointing to hear. I had hoped for a score by Johansson instead we get Zimmer. Terrible news.
i dont get why ben wallfisch is getting so much work. an utterly boring hz clone. to go from johann to this is what a precipitous drop. i wonder why villeneuve is replacing JJ after working on the last few movies with him.
oh this definitely is not Villeneuve’s doing. This reeks of Studio Involvement. They want someone who can sell a billion soundtrack CDs and can help get bums ins eats and Zimmer’s name can do that. Not Johannson. It’s so upsetting though, because this could have been such an incredibly score from Johannson. I’m glad their keeping his theme, but still, talk about sacrificing art for commerce.
(I don’t blame Villeneuve at all for this. If anything, we can thank Villeneuve for obviously fighting to keep Johannson’s theme in the film!)
Here’s the full quote from Villeneuve in that interview:
“L’Islandais Johann Johannssoncompose le thème principal comme prévu. Mais, au vu de l’ampleur de la tâche, Benjamin Wallfisch et Hans Zimmer ont rejoint l’équipe pour aider Johann. C’est difficile d’arriver à la cheville de Vangelis ! On a des sons atmosphériques ahurissants de Johann, mais j’avais besoin d’autres choses, et Hans nous a aidés.”
In English: Given the scale of the task, Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer joined the team to help Johann. We have Johann’s breathtaking atmospheric sounds, but I needed other things also, and Hans helped us.
So everyone CHILL.
Ben Wallfisch a “boring HZ clone”? Please do your homework. Ben has been a film composer completely in his own right for a decade before his association with Zimmer began. I have released seven of his scores pre Zimmer: http://moviescoremedia.com/?s=wallfisch&searchsubmit=Search
i’m familiar with Wallfisch’s music, and i stand by what i said. there isn’t a trace of a unique voice in any of his scores. though it seems the path to AAA movies these days is more about being able to fall in line behind zimmer rather than being able to write unique music
So I think one of the reasons is also due to Johann Johannsson’s involvement in Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Mother!’ which is due to be released this year as well. Also, Benjamin Wallfisch’s work has actually shown him to be quite different to Hans’ usual style. Wallfisch also started out conducting numerous British orchestras such as London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, etc. He has a pretty impressive resume.
HA! In your face, Zimmer haters!!!! This will be score of the year!
Shut up, fanboy!
Best choice ever!
This was sarcasm
Should be Vangelis again, it was always his project. The music he created in 1981-82 for the original film is amazing and so full of feeling. He finally was able to release material from the film in 1994. He then released new music in 2007 celebrating 25 years of Bladerunner containing new material in a 3 disc album.
Hans Zimmer is great but he’s not Vangelis.
I think I’ll wait until I’ve heard the score before I judge it. I know that’s really not the internet way, but it does seem a little more logical.
Ha ha ha Quite So
FMR should correct this news: “‘Blade Runner 2049’ to Feature Music by Benjamin Wallfisch” is more appropriated. After all, we all know that Zimmer ain’t going to write a single note, and all of his work will be handled to Wallfisch, but his name will still be on the movie’s credits just for marketing purposes. That’s the way it is on Zimmer’s last few scores.
Yes! Just look at those jealous tears up there!
YASSSSSSS!!! great news 🙂
One thing I don’t think much people will be able to deny, whether you love or hate Zimmer, is that he has extensive experience with 80s and 90s electronic synths, and that’s the kind of mood Blade Runner is aiming to set, I assume?
+1 HZ is a completely appropriate choice. This faux sophisticate outrage is pathetic.