John Williams to Write the Theme for Solo: A Star Wars Story. John Powell is Still Composing
2017 goes out with a bang! Variety has just shared the news that John Williams is writing the theme for the upcoming Solo standalone movie. The legendary composer revealed this in an interview about The Last Jedi.
Back in July we reported that John Powell joined the Solo production to write the score for the upcoming movie, which will still be released on May 25th 2018.
London-born, Los Angeles-based Powell, a 2010 Oscar nominee for his score for the animated “How to Train Your Dragon,” has also scored the “Bourne” action franchise, “United 93” and a number of other animated films including this year’s “Ferdinand,” as well as the “Happy Feet” and “Rio” movies.
What is new now is the fact that the main theme will be written by John Williams – his 9th involvement with a Star Wars movie.
I’m writing a theme for Han Solo, and John Powell is going to write the score, which he’ll do brilliantly,” Williams says.
Since the Solo post production is probably nearing its end, they can start finishing the score with the final cut of the movie.
“His assignment is something I’m very happy about,” Williams adds. “What I will do is offer this to John, and to [director] Ron Howard, and if all parties are happy with it, then I will be happy. … John [Powell] will complete the score. He will write all the rest of the themes and all of the other material, which I’m going to be very anxious to hear.”
Read the full article from Variety here.
It looks like the Solo marketing campaign is about to start 5 months before the movie’s premiere.
Williams will deny it, but rumor has it that the Disney muscles pulled him into a dark room and told him that he’s working on this film… or else.
The more Williams the better. I absolutely love his work on the sequel trilogy so far and with how troubled this production has been they could really use a bit of John Williams magic.
Ohhhhhh this is good news. I hope Williams composes a piece similar to what we hear in the asteroid field chase and when Han is frozen in carbonite. Either way, whatever he composes I’m sure I’ll love regardless.
My biggest fear is that Williams dies before composing the score for episode IX and that Giacchino comes in. I need a Williams score for what might be the last skywalker trilogy.
giacchino is pretty good when he has more than week to compose a film score.
I’d like to dissent. I’ve heard many giacchino scores, and what I came to understand is that he either rearranges the same tune in different versions (see: Up), or invents a very giacchino-ish theme, and for the dramatic/touching moments, he uses always almost the same arrangement and melody (see: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the planet of the Apes’ emotional themes and confront with Kirk’s birth scene in Star Trek, lost’s emotional theme, the love story scene tunes in M:I-3, Rogue One’s death of Jyn and Cassian’s scene and Super 8’s slow theme: they are literally all the same or very similar.)
Rogue One’s score Giacchino did had a very similar arrangement like that of Williams, which I appreciated, but for Episode IX I need Williams’ unique, symphonic skills of composition, which surpass that of anyone else.
“Episode IX I need Williams’ unique, symphonic skills of composition, which surpass that of anyone else.”
absolutely agree. in regards to giacchino, i can’t speak to his scores being too similar, i just remember that i liked them at the time(except for rogue one which was forgettable.)
I’m pulling for Thomas Newman to tackle these films some day. Especially if his father’s opening Fox fanfare gets re-instated.
You know what he needs, the fucking London symphony Orchestra, I’ve said it since TFA, you can see the decline in quality from say ROTS compared to TFA.
Music is a healer, and we’re all vibrating frequencies. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna outlive the creatives pulling their hair out to pump out these films.
(Now that I’ve said that, watch him drop dead tomorrow.)
do NOT suggest that what you wrote in brackets.
I know… I’m just demented.
But everyone here is lying if they don’t admit that every time this site posts a story with Williams’ pic in the headline, that’s the first thought that enters our minds.
Well, in my case, that’s not how I think that thought, more like “Let’s hope he won’t die soon”
His crush on Daisy Ridley will keep him young.
“The last skywalker trilogy” that’s depressing lol but yea it looks to be that way.
Except in the remote case that Abrams chooses Ridley and Driver to get together and have babies – If I must say it does not feel as depressing to me: I enjoyed every bit of it so far, and that means the 8/9th of it.
I’m vouching for them man I really am. Every moment they’ve spent together was gold.
I agree. It sounded a bit a stupid fanfiction at the beginning, but it would be interesting to see. Also, a Romeo and Juliet stile end. But what I’d love to see i sRey having to kill Ben and crying while doing that. It would be a very dramatic and innovative outcome.
I agree. It sounded a bit a stupid fanfiction at the beginning, but it would be interesting to see. Also, a Romeo and Juliet stile end. But what I’d love to see i sRey having to kill Ben and crying while doing that. It would be a very dramatic and innovative outcome.
That’s a tragedy all in itself. Fitting for Star Wars lol. We’ll see, after watching TFA I didn’t care for Ben’a redemption cause I thought it would be generic and bland, but now that Rey is a possible love interest it changes things. There’s hope for the Skywalkers. Check this for a twist, the FO manage to kill Rey against his wishes, and that makes him turn and “finish what his uncle started.”
there can be a lot of great finales for this saga. Unlike many commenters, I got more interested in the story, having seen TLJ. Let’s hope Abrams won’t plan on going back to Jakku or do anything too similar to ROTJ…
I agree!
I didn’t think there was much chemistry between Kylo & Rey. To me there seemed to be more of a spark between her & Poe when they introduced themselves at the end. Even if they did go down that route I think there is zero chance Kylo will survive. There is no way he can be forgiven for his part in mass genocide and the subjugation of the galaxy. The Skywalker saga is being closed off with no episodes X etc.
Yea that exchange between her and Poe at the end left many things open for JJ. We shall see.
I agree and it will definitely be the last saga film. Really can’t see how Kylo can make it out of IX alive.
There may be one way: redemtion through Rey. But that’s the only way
I can see Rey possibly turning him back to the light and forgiving him. The rest of the galaxy…mmm not so much. The best outcome he could hope for is prison but I would think that’s unlikely given his crimes.
Yeah, call me paranoid but i hope he begins composing IX as soon as possible. Episode 9 will already feel a little sad without the big 3, it would be even more of a downer without a full Williams score. JW better keep eating his veggies! There is a shortage of brilliant composers in this world
I suspect that Mr Williams has made a few provisional notes for Episode 9. I think that he has taken his ever-shortening mortality into account and planned out enough to allow another composer (possibly Giacchino) to complete it in his absence.
if DC was smart they would bring williams back to do an updated version of the superman theme.
The new Superman movies threw Williams’ legendary music in the trash. Too heroic and rousing for the bleak, depressing, destruction-fest movies they are making now.
unfortunately true.
I disagree. Zimmer’s score is fantastic and just as heroic as JW’s imo. The score was by far the best part of Man of Steel and BvS.
It may fit the movie well, but’s not memorable. Not hummable. No kid pretending to be Superman is going to be humming Hans Zimmer when he jumps off a couch with a red bedsheet tied around his neck.
I can’t remember it? Most standout theme from the batch of DC themes is the Wonder Woman theme but I’d need to be reminded of that too.
In fact the best DC film recently has been WW, the rest have been farely woefull.
So true
Arguably his finest work.
so many to choose from in just the 1970s alone.
True.
Very Arguable
He is a legend living among us. The TLJ score was delightful: How about a review, SWNN?
My favorite track:
https://youtu.be/vP0nEO6q8iI
So interesting you posted this as your favorite, as it was my least favorite. It fits more in line with a Harry Potter film. That’s just my opinion though.
Completely agree! It actually took me out of the moment a few times.
I’m glad i’m not alone. thought i was going crazy lol
Because fan sites rarely critique music. Hell, most sites/reviews at all.
Sorry didn’t like it. Its a bit dull. Reys theme is my favourite from the new trilogy so far. TLJ score was a bit lacking for me.
It takes about 3 minutes to write a theme. And it is rather strange Han never had an official theme.
I am sure Mr. Williams has dozens of discarded themes, dozens of never heard pieces and written old compositions. It would not be strange if he has some old pieces from OT times. The mind of a genius. Can’t wait to hear it.
That’s exactly the kind of thing that someone without any knowledge of composition would say. What an absurdity.
Considering I’m a composer, no. A “Theme” itself can only be a few notes. And in JW’s case it often is.
It is weird that Han never got one, back in the day Williams seemed to love giving everyone their own little theme or motif.
Even Boba Fett had his own little motif.
i think you guys have said have “motif” so many times in this thread its lost all meaning. motif, motif motif. 😉
I really wished to hear “duel of fates” in the ST. It’s a wonderful piece of music that should not be restricted to the prequels.
that wouldn’t make sense, that would be like using rey’s theme in rogue one.
As far as I understand it Rey’s theme is connected to Rey while duel of fate is used in situations with intense lightsaber duels which will hopefully happen in IX.
No, rey’s Theme was for Rey. Duel of the Fates was not for any specific character.
I was thinking the same. The Kylo + Rey vs the guards scene would’ve been perfect for it.
I guess ‘Duel of the Fates’ for the battle against the Praetorian Guard in TLJ would have been quite great.
Overall, this is great news. To be honest though, I didn’t care for Kylo’s theme or Rose’s theme… ok it might not have been “Rose’s” theme, but it seemed to play every time she was on screen.
All of the ST and Rogue movies lack an emotionally pulling anthem — one like Duel of the Fates, Battle of Heroes, or the music alongside Luke and Vader in ROTJ (The music that plays after Vader says “Then perhaps she will…”)
Imagine an anthem like this going while Kyle/Rey battle the Praetorian Guards or Rey battles Kylo in the snow!
I’m dying for a new epic battle theme! I thought maybe we would have gotten one in TLJ, but it looks like I’m going to have to hold off till IX. There were bits of TLJ album which were very PT esque, it just left me wanting more.
The closest we got is the Resistance theme which is pretty good imo.
Yup, and that bit when holdo was getting ready to crash the ship/Rey and Ben force wrestling the lightsaber was pretty good too.
Yes! The luke vs Vader theme is my all time favorite! We need that again
Finally, some great news in the creapfest the SW forums have become recently.
about Star Wars music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKheYfOl7hQ
Wow, I’ve listened to these themes a million times and never picked up on this.
Another one I noticed is the Vader’s New Hope motif that plays when Vader is being revealed in the bacta tank.
https://youtu.be/CGi3Zy_2yKU?t=18
@lorenzofronti:disqus @SonOfConstantDiligence:disqus – This is why the Rogue One score has more depth than people seem to give it credit for. There are a few little callbacks to the original score, the most obvious being the Death Star motif.
I agree. The use of that motif was great. It fits perfectly after the new march as well (first shot of the DS). I really like Giacchino’s score also considering he didn’t have much time.
The score overall definitely deserves more credit than it’s been given. It’s great continuity-wise, and adds some brilliant themes to the ‘Star Wars’ musical landscape (‘The Imperial Suite’ has to be my favourite). It just gets better with every listen.
I always associated that motif to the stormtroopers in ANH (and i found a possible influence in a short bit from Verdi’s opera I Masnadieri).
But since we don’t hear it after ANH (if I remember correctly) it can be considered a “bad guys after the DS plans” theme.
I always associated that motif to the stormtroopers in ANH (and i found a possible influence in a short bit from Verdi’s opera I Masnadieri).
But since we don’t hear it after ANH (if I remember correctly) it can be considered a “bad guys after the DS plans” theme.
I just thought it was Vader’s original motif before John did the Imperial march because in a podcast I listened to somewhere a long time ago they pointed that motif out.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-field-guide-to-the-musical-leitmotifs-of-star-wars here you can find a list of the main leitmotifs (that one is named “imperial troops”, I guess it works for the whole empire).
There’s no polishing this turd, John.
Why are you still here if you no longer like SW? This must feel to you like showing up on your ex-girlfriends wedding. Get over her man!
Hey, watch it. This is a REAL STAR WARS FAN you’re talking to, here!
Hey, watch it. This is a REAL STAR WARS FAN you’re talking to, here!
Damn skippy, I understand Star Wars in ways you guys can’t even fathom. Ultimately you’re all just pretenders to the throne.
Yeah, here’s your “throne.” Probably the same quality of stuff goes in here as in your posts.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/727fb4ed6e4c6ab381f6720db242df7a3e82fc41db518a3e7ef90331fc2c30b0.jpg
Yeah, here’s your “throne.” Probably the same quality of stuff goes in here as in your posts.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/727fb4ed6e4c6ab381f6720db242df7a3e82fc41db518a3e7ef90331fc2c30b0.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/12af02b302ec244e78a8551f25a5bcbe0b3340319729df556617261bbdaa2677.jpg
Cabbage!
i need this in my life.
The definition of a troll
Even attack of the clones gave us great music. I’m down for a JW Han Solo score even in a vaccum regardless of movie quality
Q: Why don’t they let a bantha compose a film score?
A: Because they demand a HEFTY salary.
I imagine a theme between Bob MArley, Frank Zappa and Jimmy Hendrix.
Real Star Wars fans of the world, unite!
Bua…
I am a Jedi Master, not a fan…
Bua…
I am a Jedi Master, not a fan…
You’re neither, you’re an errand boy sent by grocery clerks.
Yeahhh, I brought you some diapers for your mental diarrhea :)))
So that means the ones that liked TLJ! I’m here!!
Think I’m putting my money on ‘variation of ‘Han Solo and the Princess’.
Think I’m putting my money on ‘variation of ‘Han Solo and the Princess’.
*Enters sarcastic mode* I myself was leaning towards a variation of Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” which would be more in line with the nostalgia fad we are going through. *Exits sarcastic mode*
“Solo” will hopefully go a long way to make sure that the disappointment some people had in The Last Jedi will not linger. In retrospect, it could be a good thing that this movie will come out so soon after TLJ.
True, but after two years of Star Wars at Christmas, it’s actually going to feel weird for me not to have something new to look forward to at the sane time in 2018. I even managed to get a themed Christmas jumper and everything this time round!
Are you telling me you’re not HYPED for Mary Poppins Returns??
Only if Dick Van Dyke’s eternal youth is put to good use and we get a confirmation of a full song and dance number.
It would be nice if there is some way that Solo can show how Han knew who Snoke was in TFA. Maybe smuggling guns or porgs or maybe even Sith trinkets for Snokes burgeoning psycho collection…like Thrawn collects native art.
I’m one of the very few people that finds absolutely nothing interesting or memorable about Powell’s scores. I’ve tried multiple times to find something, anything, I enjoy on youtube to no avail. Learning that Williams is making the main theme gives me some hope, finally…because I’m also one of the weirdos that really wanted a Han Solo prequel (and dreamt of it when the prequels were first announced). The thought of seeing a proper Jabba puppet on screen again….I can dream.
More Williams on ‘Star Wars’ is always a good thing, but I just hope Powell gets to do his thing as Giacchino did with ‘Rogue One’.
Finally.
Scotland will be used as a filming location in the first of Rian Johnson’s standalone SW movies.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/movies/movie-news/new-star-wars-movie-shoot-11774216#ICID=sharebar_twitter
Surprised they are already planning that. I thought Johnson was just in the brainstorming phase.
I was thinking that. Maybe the dates are wrong. But, the fact that a Member of the Scottish Parliament *spit Scottish Labour* know about it adds some credibility to the story.
If that dates are right, at what point would the films be in terms of production? Is production of a draft script already chugging along as we speak?
If that dates are right, at what point would the films be in terms of production? Is production of a draft script already chugging along as we speak?
Just had a thought, as IX is likely to be the last saga Star Wars movie, I wonder if any of the Star Wars story movies will adopt the main theme. Or could IX be the last time we hear it!
Good point.
I would think that they would want to retain a number of references to the films that we know so that it doesn’t just feel like a generic sci-fi movie; a version of the main titles might be helpful in that.
I hope so. Would be very sad to think that’s the last time we hear the Star Wars fanfare in any movies going forward.
Good point! I think we will still hear motifs of it interwoven in with videogames and spinoffs. I can’t imagine they couldn’t capitalize on one of the most recognized themes in the world- especially since I have a feeling IX will be williams last Star Wars movie so they won’t have the 100% guaranteed music masterpiece going forward
no chance its the last saga film. they’ll just probably take a break from them for awhile.
Didn’t Kathleen Kennedy say a while back that they plan to have more film beyond IX that star Rey, Finn, and Poe?
probably. they’d be foolish not to leave the door open.
probably. they’d be foolish not to leave the door open.
Yes but no mention of Kylo and she didn’t say saga films. Kylo is the only kinda skywalker. They’ve always said, and recently to, that the saga films will always be about the Skywalkers. They will definitely end with IX unless they can think of away to bring in another skywalker.
Redeem Kylo. Boom, there’s your Skywalker.
No chance. Rey may turn him back to the light and he may be redeemable in her eyes but there is no way he won’t be made to pay for his part in the mass murder of billions or the re-enslaving of the galaxy. Especially as he’s now supreme leader. Hell just for killing Han Solo he needs to die. Seriously though, he’ll need to be held accountable. There’s is absolutely no way the galaxy will go “Kylo Ren has turned back to the light! Yay all is forgiven!!” So I’m afraid it’s the end of the Skywalker line and the Saga films.
If Darth Vader can be redeemed, Kylo Ren can be redeemed. I hope not, but it’s possible.
Yes I agree with you and I’m not saying he can’t be redeemed. What I’m saying is he wouldn’t be forgiven by the galaxy. If Vader had lived he would still have had to pay for what he had done. Whether that’s put to death (not sure if they have the death penalty) or put in prison. I think prison is out of the question though as I doubt there are many that could have held Vader then or Kylo now.
He was redeemed after death – so no trial was needed.
I’d like to think your right but I can’t see it. There’s no chance Kylo will make it out of IX alive. He’s committed too many crimes against the galaxy to be allowed to live and fairly recently when KK spoke about the new characters appearing in other films after IX she didn’t mention Kylo. She just said Rey, Finn & Poe which is quite telling. As he’s the only (sort of but not really) Skywalker and they have always said the Saga films will always be about the skywalkers, I believe it’s the end of them. Also, KK was a bit noncommittal about whether they would continue the Skywalker saga after IX.
Anyone else concerned that the film is five months away from release and there’s not a even a sniff of a teaser trailer?
The very first time I learned that movie characters are play by actors is when I saw Indiana Jones and asked my dad why Han Solo was in this movie. So to me this IS Han Solos theme. It just needs to be tweaked ever so slightly to give it that Star Wars feel.