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Both books are essentially done. On Impossible Silence, we wrapped up editing last spring and completed music example engraving this summer. We are now finalizing end notes (which is no small task as there are easily a thousand). Layout will go quickly as this book is primarily text. Hobbit is written and assembled in a temp layout (and has been for some time), but won't go to final proofing/layout until the studio gives the go-ahead.

They could really wait and see what the critical/box office reception is like for film #1 before planning the 4 sequels.

"Gentleman, Don Williams has called all the heads of the film score families together to decide what to do about Mikey muscling in on Alexandre's job. Our friends from Europe are not pleased about these developments. Don Ennio from the old country has even threatened to pull out Herr Zimmer and all of the German family. The heirs of Jarre and Delerue demand retribution!" Don Bruce Broughton. "Look, we all love Mikey. He's like a son to me. But I promised the gig to Alexandre myself. How could this have happened?" - Don Williams "With all due respect Don Williams, but i say fuck em'! We don't need those Europeans. If Don Ennio pulls back Zimmer and his goons we can reclaim the scoring stages in Hollywood and Canada! I've spoken to Don Shore, he will support us of a war breaks out." - Don Bruce "What good is the support of a man who starts one chapter of a trilogy on his own, and then has to bring in an orchestrator?" - Don Williams "But Don Williams, even you...with The Force Awa..." - Don Bruce "That was different. At the time I could not divulge the truth, so I told Stevie to cook up some story about me getting a pacemaker. But they nearly got me, my friend." - Don Williams "Who would dare this?" - Don Bruce "Mikey...it was Mikey Giacchino. I asked him to swallow his pride and accept that I would score this one JJ Abrams film. He hugged me and kissed my head. But in his eyes I could see the hatred. Thats why he tried to kill me. Thats why he muscled out Alexandre." - Don Williams "My apologies Don Williams. But then we must deal with Mikey...tonight! The whole Newman family has pledged itself to you!" - Don Randy "Thank you, my friend. But I fear for the moment Mikey is beyond our reach. Disney needs him to finish some projects. We can't upset them and risk losing them to Herr Zimmer. I'm using all my influence to keep him away from the new Lion King." - Don Williams "Damn that fucking kraut stealing some of the best jobs. His Superman was a travesty. And a personal insult to you!" - John Ottman "Business is business. But our agent has been planted in the Zimmer family long ago. When the time comes our friend Mr. Holkenborg will deal with the German." - Don Williams "I swear it Don Williams! I hate those krauts! They stole my grandfathers bicycle in the war. And in 1974 they took the World Championship Football throphy from us, and never let us forget it!" - Don Holkenborg "Your loyalty means a lot to me, my friend. Go back to the Germans. But first visit Don Ennio and give him my regards, and apologies for what happened with Alexandre. Once we take care if Mikey, you will be the future of film music!" - Don Williams.

FSM says...

Glóin the Dark, I might have known you'd be the one to survive that mountain of food. I think the publisher is more ready to exploit the movie tie-ins for Tolkien's books as these things bring publicity and raise the sales but the estate does most of the time produce worthy additions for the fans from Tolkien's archives. I guess the target audience here is more those who might not otherwise peruse the History of Middle-earth series from cover to cover to find out about these various versions of Tolkien's tales and this is an opporturnity to present in condensed form all the relevant material on a single major part of the legendarium, just like with The Children of Húrin.

Always disappointed to see this thread bumped for something other than the PoA leak. Damn you all to hell.

Nothing super special, but I always enjoyed Hooper's cue for when the group flies off on the thestrals to save Sirius. One of the few cues from him that evoked a feeling of wonder for me.

Rowling's abilities as an author are quite simple to assess: she is good at spinning existing tropes and archetypes into seemingly new, catchy ideas, and obviously her concepts have lots of appeal. But the execution of all this is at times laughably awful, most often, just passable. They are light, fluffy confections, as are the films, and that's why after the third one, after they tried to move away from lightness and fluffiness, it became obvious just how little there really is underneath the enchanting trappings.

Enjoy! It's really cool to see this live! Kinda funny to see some of the instruments used, when you're so used to seeing a "regular" orchestra. Man I love this piece. But my God either the performance or acoustics/mix or both are atrocious compared to the film recording. For example, the bass is way too loud and everything else way too low. In terms of performance, I'm sure it's a very difficult piece, of course.

I'm typically not a big fan of celebrities reading audiobooks, they tend to take me out of the story, but yeah Lee is great in that, and Stephen Fry's Harry Potter audiobooks are excellent, as is Jim Dale (who is also English) in the American versions.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the History of the Ring theme.

So we should direct our flaming torches and pitchforks at Warner's doors again?

Cool track. I like the style of it. Not quite sold on the thematic content though. And this naturally won't reflect the rest of the score's sound.

Normally I'd agree with you, and I was actually about to post a similar comment about the Tolkien industry pumping out another product. But when I think about it, I really don't believe the Tolkien estate has abused the fans the way, for example, the studios do with multiple DVD/BD releases of the same films. They're offering something new with these releases in terms of editorial content and artwork, and frankly they know the market for these books is pretty much limited to Tolkien fanatics and scholars. They don't "need" to put out these books, and I think most Tolkien lovers are happy to get them. In fact, contrasted with the marketing tie-in's for the films, I think these new volumes are being handled tastefully and actually with some restraint.

Coming next May!!

Its not like she has previous with long arcing storings like a beloved seven book series behind her. Long ranging plots over over multiple stories is just something JK Rowling doesn't have any experience in.

Stanley & Iris by John Williams: A nice small scale dramatic score from the Maestro in the gentle and muted pastoral Americana mode from his late 80's/early 90's branching out period, when he was clearly seeking a way out of being typecasted as "Mr. Sturm und Drang" after such success with big blockbuster franchises. The composer of course, rather than doing outlandish experiments with what he calls "synthesized sound sources" or going entirely avant garde, would continue to employ mostly symphonic palette but often in smaller scale. Flute, piano and trumpet are offered solo parts among the chamber-sized ensemble consisting of mostly strings and woodwinds which lends a suitably intimate feel to this short but sweet album. Williams crafts a couple of earthy and unassuming main melodies that intertwine during the score and there is mostly a warm sunny vernal sheen to the whole affair with occasional more dramatic gesture but this score stays mostly lyrical and on the quiet side. It is a smaller effort from the composer sure, but it makes for a nice relaxing listening experience with a terrific Williams-esque End Title that sums up the whole thing rather perfectly.

Spider-Man 3

The "Sophie's Theme" piano solo piece from Hal Leonard includes the material starting here: ... and lasts until at least 7:20 or so. So perhaps that is confirmation of what some, including @king mark, have suspected for a while: That Sophie's theme has two parts -- one being the "main theme" and the other being the melancholy theme.

Hoo boy am I glad that wasn't included in the movie.

Many many scores that I enjoy while not caring one way or another about the film. Hell, you can't be a Goldsmith fan without that mentality!

Heh. Listened to Secret Weapons Over Normandy this morning, and I got inklings that the shrill brass and tumbling melodies could really suit a good old-fashioned X-Wing battle; and that Medal Of Honor's ground-battle tempo could have a good run-in. I'd like the Rebel theme to take centre stage and even be developed forward (not truncated like so many reboot/soft-reboot/sequel scores tend to). Not that I want a recycled sound, I'm sure (given time) he could make this soar while keeping depth...but it's not a given.

I wonder if the theme was artificially slowed-down when it returns to the main Star Trek theme at 2:21. So I did a test and sped up that entire section to match the original's tempo. I quite like the timpani mix in the Beyond version of the theme, but the Into Darkness version is definitely the superior recording and mix overall.

Rubbish. The proposition that Star Trek is better than everything is based on empirical evidence, carefully weighing the merits of Star Trek vs. everything else in the known universe, and coming to the conclusion that it is indeed superior to all other known phenomena (though pizza came in a close second). The results of this study have been peer reviewed and published. On the other hand, the suggestion that "Everything is better than Star Trek" is just a thoughtless internet meme that has no basis in reality or the scientific method. So say we all. You're just making this up. Please offer proof of this assertion.

He he he, your feelings are hurt because Obama doesn't list Interstellar. So transparent you are ...

Every time I see one of these lists of a politicians favourite movies/music/tv shows/books I wonder about the aides who put it together, and how much thought went into making sure it was balanced enough with popular favourites, classics, under appreciated gems, etc.

It's a facile line of thought that reduces the scores to pure unadulterated bombast. There is ambiguity within the scores (increasingly so if looked at chronologically), it's just not foregrounded to the same degree as the most memorable moments, which is why it's easy to overlook. Curiously this is the same accusation he levels at Spielberg and Nolan. http://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/interstellar-flowery-greeting-card

I'm sorry, but as a rule, I never punch scholars. You're lucky, because I'd kick your ass. Well, if I misremembered, then my bad! Fair enough, I guess. Good, that's good. We're slowly getting there! Oh, and if you've listened to the first score, then you've already heard most of the second score anyway! That's fine, but now, you've been warned. Next time, there won't be another warning!

OK. Film tips #1 Malick: you need to watch BADLANDS, and possibly DAYS OF HEAVEN, because it looks beautiful. Kubrick: stick with DR. STRANGELOVE; it really is a good movie. Everyone-everyone- must see 2001, before they die. Nuff said. BARRY LYNDON is achingly beautiful. Tarkovsky: watch SOLYARIS, now! Check-out STALKER, and MIRROR. Nolan: watch THE PRESTIGE, INSOMNIA, and MEMENTO. Avoid any BATMAN shit. Zimmer: avoid. Newman: AMERICAN BEAUTY should be on every serious film-music fan's I-pod, as should THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. Shore: LOTR is good; THE FLY is better.

Great post Will! Very informative. I read another article that basically said that the only reason Lucas threw together treatments for 7, 8 & 9 at all was to increase the perceived value of the franchise once Disney became interested...there are suggestions the he led Disney to believe he had completed story treatments when he actually didn't. Which given GL's procrastination and hatred of writing rings true to me. I have no doubt he had ideas in his head, and maybe some rough ideas scribbled about somewhere. But remember the early stories, before the news of the sale to Disney broke, about how LucasFilm was gearing up for a new trilogy? All that pre-pre-production was apparently done to increase the value of the company to perspective suitors, and didn't represent a real desire by Lucas to make the films himself. Really interested in TFA making of book, had no idea something like that was even in the cards. Is Rintzler writing it? I'm still waiting for a comprehensive Making of LOTR book as well.

Please keep your campaigning for the America Thread, Drax. Self-assigned deputy moderator Alex

By the fifth film they'll be black & white with no music at all!

Same here! This and the female vocal part to the track before it, House of Judgement, really to me seem like score highlights for the year. That swell of the main theme at 1:36 alongside those aggressive outbursts of the theme from the original is just sublime. Fantastic track selection. Definitely one of my favorites by him. I love it whenever Horner unabashedly goes all out on trying to achieve max emotional potency.

I like PHANTOM MENACE too, he, he....seems like I like to stick up for all those films that everyone else hates.

You are basically correct. And if the films are shit...no one is forcing us to watch them!

I say the more films the merrier. If they're shite then I just wont care, and if they're good, then cool. There are plenty of stories to tell within Rowling's world, so have at it. Marvel are doing the same, so are Disney with Star Wars, and same with Star Trek etc. There are always stories to tell, so if the films attract good box office then it means people want them. Supply and demand is the entire basis of the film industry.

The money goes to a great cause: 'The Fans of Alexandre Desplat .'

The 5th movie will of course be split into 2 parts. Part 5 1 and Part 5 2. And Part 5 1 will hit a billion and will end with a cliff-hanger. So that Part 5 2 will be split into 7 parts, one for each hour of the finale. New characters introduced in Part 5 2 6 will span their own movie universe. The 4th movie in the franchise spawned from Part 5 2 6 will be spun off into a TV series. The new character in the Season 4 Episode 17 will then get there own spin-off. Rowling has all this figured out.

Sit In On a Scoring Session Composer Michael Giacchino Neat!

I agree. For years this "weaponised raptors" used by the military story has floated around, since JP2 I believe, and I always cringed when I read about it. The reality is, as interesting as it is, you can only do so much with this concept. It's why Crichton didn't want to write a sequel in the first place, and only did so under pressure from Spielberg (who repaid the favour by quickly jettisoning most of his book). In fact the wonder and awe was pretty much gone after the first film, which is why the second two films were of declining quality, and why Jurassic World was essentially a remake. So right now they're where they were after the first one, with no where to go. Just another example of something that should be left alone.

Also some details about the plot: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jurassic-world-2-colin-trevorrow-plot-details-director-a7357141.html “The dinosaurs will be a parable of the treatment animals receive today: the abuse, medical experimentation, pets, having wild animals in zoos like prisons, the use the military has made of them, animals as weapons,” They're seriously going with the "trained raptors as soldiers" thing then? That always struck me as the absolute worst idea I ever heard for a fourth Jurassic Park film, the first time I heard it suggested many, many years ago. So I'm not entirely convinced I should be excited about this. While I like Jurassic World fine enough, the whole "trained raptors" thing does go pretty heavily AGAINST the first film where they're the "supreme danger". Of course the third film already detracted a bit from that concept, which is on the one hand interesting, but on the other hand a bit of a shame. Maybe it's OK if the raptors break free, eat their employers and basically wreak havoc on everyone and everything!

It's the realisation that Star Trek is better than everything, and fully accepting and indeed promoting that fact.

I'd watch a film about this guy and his planet. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Max_Rebo/Legends The Max Rebo Story starring Jonah Hill.