UPDATE: John Williams Not Scoring Spielberg Film Due To “Minor Health Issue”

John WillimasSome rather unsettling news this morning about John Williams’ health. However, it’s apparently not as serious as it may sound. Details after the jump…

 

 

BBC Entertainment Correspondent Lizo Mzimba tweeted this morning about John Williams having to back out of scoring an upcoming Spielberg film due to health reasons:

 

 

 

Alarming news to start the day off with, to say the least. The idea of John Williams having to cancel a film score commitment – especially one to Steven Spielberg, for whom Williams has scored virtually every single film for over 40 years – for health reasons is enough to put long-time fans into panic mode.

 

However, a little further digging revealed that the situation is not necessarily as dire as it appears. From firstshowing.net:

 

Last winter we got a first look at Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks on the set of their the-untitled cold war thriller. Since then, we’ve learned that the title was Bridge of Spies and that John Williams was composing the score. However, only one of those tidbits has proven to be true as a press release (with the first official still from the film you can see below) has revealed that American Beauty and Skyfall composerThomas Newman will score the film instead.

 

The release says, “John Williams’ schedule was interrupted and he was unavailable to score the film due to a minor health issue, now corrected.” And the good news is that Williams will still get back with Spielberg for another collaboration to compose the score The BFG next.

 

 

So… evidently Mr. Williams did have some sort of “minor health issue” that caused him to slow down his work schedule, at least for a time. But it seems that he’s doing okay now, and that in fact he has another film score lined up with Spielberg. The BFG is an adaptation of a Roald Dahl novel that is set to be released in the summer of 2016.

 

All of us here at Star Wars Episode VII news wish John Williams the best of health for many years to come.

 

 

 

JohnWilliams

 

UPDATE

 

It is possible that the aforementioned health issue may have been the same one that prompted John Williams to cancel a pair of appearances with the San Diego Symphony back in January.

 

From the official San Diego Symphony press release, dated January 9, 2015:

 

It is with deep regret that we announce John Williams must withdraw from conducting the special concerts scheduled with the San Diego Symphony at the Jacobs Music Center on Friday and Saturday, January 30 and 31, 2015.

 

Having led the San Diego Symphony twice in recent years, Maestro Williams has such deep respect for this orchestra and the San Diego audiences. He very much regrets not being able to lead these concerts but must withdraw due to a temporary minor health issue.

 

Maestro Williams had been looking forward to these performances since his San Diego engagement was announced last spring. The concerts, which will still take place, will be led by Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. The program of Maestro Williams’ music will remain the same, including his captivating suite from Memoirs of Geisha with acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser as soloist, along with selections from Harry Potter, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and more of his beloved film scores. As originally planned, the performances will feature a selection of film clips from Academy Award-winning movies to accompany several of the musical pieces, heightening the concert-going experience, as we salute one of the most honored and respected composers of our time.

 

Please note that we do not know for certain that this cancellation was due to the same health issue that caused Mr. Williams to bow out as composer of the Bridge of Spies soundtrack. However, the timing would seem to potentially match up.

 

Regardless, here’s hoping that Mr. Williams is feeling much better now!

 

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23 thoughts on “UPDATE: John Williams Not Scoring Spielberg Film Due To “Minor Health Issue”

  • March 18, 2015 at 4:53 pm
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    Whew…

  • March 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm
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    Damn, got scared there for a moment! Puh.
    Best wishes to Williams.

    • March 19, 2015 at 5:19 am
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      Yea I hope mr Williams keeps on making magic for as long as he can. He is simply pure genius and the world of music, movies, and just the world in general is better because of genius like his.

      If possible I’d love him to do every Star Wars soundtrack in the future, but I am also interested in what Star Wars would be like without his scores. Just from a purely curious stance. Or without classical music period. Can’t believe I just said that (being a classical musician for 20 years now). I just think it would be interesting to see/hear.

  • March 18, 2015 at 5:08 pm
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    Tell me about it! If we can get just one new SW movie scored by Williams, with the way everything came together on EP7, I’ll be happy.

  • March 18, 2015 at 5:10 pm
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    One of these days, our worst fears will come true. I sincerely hope that Disney is well prepared for the inevitable. 🙁

    Long live Williams!

  • March 18, 2015 at 5:18 pm
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    They should have him wright and record a bunch rough song ideas on a computer that another composer could complete with a real orchestra later on if need be.

    • March 18, 2015 at 5:43 pm
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      Morbid but true.

    • March 18, 2015 at 9:17 pm
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      This has happened (sort of) with Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer rough studio cuts that were completed after their deaths.

  • March 18, 2015 at 5:53 pm
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    Providing that he consented and felt well enough in the future. Maybe there`s a possibility he could still join a future project of some kind, but on a more consultant type role with minimum work load involved. Even if it means just talking and giving advice. Try to use his vast experience and input to help a replacement composer/orchestra to get a better idea of how things should sound, and explain things to them. Lend his ears. He could sit down and do it if he wished, with the idea of making things as relaxed for him as possible. Just about input and advice he can give. Would be a shame to waste it, when he could pass on so much knowledge.

    • March 19, 2015 at 9:39 am
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      If I’m not mistaken, Mark Griskey studied under John Williams to get the score fore The Force Unleashed and The Old Republic games to sound correct.
      I, for one, think the reigns should be handed off to Mark Griskey.

  • March 18, 2015 at 6:07 pm
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    Well, the man is 83.

    • March 18, 2015 at 6:28 pm
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      Yep. My Dad is going to be 80 this year, and that’s about the point beyond which we can’t take for granted that even minor health issues might not snowball.

      • March 18, 2015 at 7:21 pm
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        Yup. Totally normal part of the journey.

  • March 18, 2015 at 7:03 pm
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    I hate those Grab-your-attention tabloidy headlines. Especially this time.

    So glad to know he’s fine, and may he remain that way.

    • March 19, 2015 at 2:02 am
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      John Williams not scoring a Spielberg film is a headline I dread.

  • March 18, 2015 at 7:09 pm
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    Just as long as he can hold out until he finishes Ep. 7 – That’s all we’re asking for John…

    • March 19, 2015 at 12:52 am
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      Or until he finishes VII-IX! His music is too amazing, and Star Wars isn’t the same without it!

  • March 18, 2015 at 7:15 pm
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    Is Carrie Fisher right? Curse of star wars?

    • March 19, 2015 at 5:14 am
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      Curse of life….and inconsiderate people like you

  • March 18, 2015 at 7:29 pm
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    I think John has already got the music ready for Episode VII. I think he will have an apprentice with him in the Summer. I really think after he creates the new themes & starts off the new trilogy then he will no longer score the Star Wars films. He may become a consultant.

  • March 18, 2015 at 7:59 pm
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    Don’t SCARE us like that JW! You have brought so much to star wars and to all who hear your art. You need be around to finish 7,8, & 9 and then enjoy a nice long retirement! Best wishes to him and his family

  • March 18, 2015 at 8:14 pm
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    Interesting that Spielberg chose Newman. He’s a great film composer, for sure, but has a very different style, and as a composer in the classical sense he’s only decent. (But with the right orchestrators you can mask that to some extent.) But it’s a hint that Spielberg might not go for a long-time collaborator again, when his relationship with Williams ends, but would choose the composer who fits a certain project best. On that note I’m quite excited that Desplat was chosen for Rogue One. He knows his classical chops well, and he would surely be a good substitute for Williams regarding the Star Wars franchise. But damn, this Williams news was a small shock, actually. Stay with us for a few more years, man, many more years! …and fly that baton. 🙂

  • March 19, 2015 at 3:34 am
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    Guy calls home while on vacation.
    He asks his brother about his dog Spot.
    “He’s dead”, the brother replies.
    “Jesus!”, the guy says.
    “Couldn’t you have led me into it instead of
    just blurting it out like that?
    Like you could’ve said: Spot’s on the roof
    and we can’t get him down.
    Then something like: He fell off of
    the roof, so we took him to the vet.
    And then: The vet did all he could,
    but, Spot, unfortunately passd away.
    THAT’S how you should’ve told me!”
    “You’re right”, says the brother.
    “I’m sorry”
    “That’s OK”, the guy says.
    “By the way, how’s Mom?”
    ‘She’s on the roof & we can’t get her down”,
    says the brother.
    How’s John Williams? He’s on the roof ….

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