Who should take over on STAR WARS after Williams is gone?

[curlytoot 97]

God forbid the man ever dies, but who would you like to see as a suitable replacement (or as suitable as can be) for the franchise after JW retires/passes on? I'm not speaking about the upcoming standalone "Anthology" films here, as these assuredly will have different composers handpicked by their respective directors (i.e. Desplat doing the upcoming Gareth Edwards film). Who would be a good candidate to continue Williams legacy, assuming that's the sort of scoring the execs still keep going for with the future episodic films?

Personally, I'd have loved to see James Horner take a crack at a STAR WARS score. Another standout to me is David Arnold, who I feel is highly underrated and has sort of fallen under the radar in recent years. Lately I've been revisiting his score to STARGATE, though, and man can that guy write a good sci-fi score. Some of the cues in that score actually sound like precursors to the sort of music Williams used in THE PHANTOM MENACE. I used to think Giacchino would be the best choice, but as of the past few years (and especially after JURASSIC WORLD) I no longer think that to be the case...

[Not Mr. Big 4,639]

I'd rather not dwell on John Williams' imminent doom while he's still alive. But if I had to choose, I'd go with James Newton Howard. He would be the best for using the "Star Wars sound" while maintaining his own musical voice.

[Jay 37,280]

morbid thread is morbid

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner or John Barry.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

David Arnold scoring a SW movie would be an acceptable trade off if he doesn't score IDR.

[mrbellamy 6,271]

Gustavo Santaolalla

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Coolman

[Quintus 5,399]

Marty O'Donnell.

[A24 4,326]

Alexandre, of course.

Alexandre

[Giftheck 916]

Ooh! Hans Zimmer! Or Lorne Balfe! or Howard Shore! Maybe Brad Fiedel could come out of retirement!

Actually, just pile them all into a room and make a hybrid score that nobody can hear anyway as Ben Burtt will insist it is all dialled out!

[Balahkay 627]

I don't like this thread.

[Cerebral Cortex 3,357]

I don't like this thread.

Yeah, I'm still not over Horner being gone. Let's not even think about Williams going.

[Thor 7,462]

I fear that Desplat or Giacchino will do it. But I really hope they won't. Beyond that, I'm open to lots of composers. It would seem logical to go for a person who knows Williams' sound in and out, and could do pastiche of him very well -- like McNeely, Debney, Ross, Pope etc. On the other hand, it would be more exciting if a composer with a more original voice came in. We can only dream about what Goldenthal could come up with for this universe (he will never be asked, nor is he interested, I bet).

But for the time being, let's hope Willliams can stick around long enough to do a couple more STAR WARS films. Let's hope he has his mother's genes and can stick around and work for AT LEAST 10 more years.

[Bespin 8,474]

Where's the choice "I Don't care, I will not listen these soundtracks"?

[leeallen01 2,133]

I'm a massive fanboy of Newton Howard and a big fan of Giacchino and Desplat, but sorry to them, because it has to be David Arnold. He hasn't just written 1 random example of a reason why, he's written so many. The obvious ones are Independence Day and Stargate; two absolutely wonderful scores that rival Williams Star Wars already. Not to mention Arnold has a very very distinct style, yet he can mimic any other with completely convincing ways. He has like I said produced two huge sci-fi scores that rival Williams and Goldsmith, and he has written his Bond material and his Last of the Dogmen, with a 100% John Barry vibe that would convince anyone it was Barry himself. Not to mention his other big fantasy scores for Chronicles of Narnia and Paul. Arnold is an untapped genius, who if set on the right path of projects, could easily shoot to the top of global recognition akin to the greats. A Star Wars score, quite frankly, would be a walk in the park for him, considering his quality.

[Damien F 1,742]

morbid thread is morbid

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

morbid thread is morbid

What does that even mean?

[publicist 4,643]

Not to mention Arnold has a very very distinct style, yet he can mimic any other with completely convincing ways. He has like I said produced two huge sci-fi scores that rival Williams and Goldsmith, and he has written his Bond material and his Last of the Dogmen, with a 100% John Barry vibe that would convince anyone it was Barry himself.

He didn't convince me. And he surely isn't capable of composing on the symphonic level of, say, TPM.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

I'm a massive fanboy of Newton Howard and a big fan of Giacchino and Desplat, but sorry to them, because it has to be David Arnold. He hasn't just written 1 random example of a reason why, he's written so many. The obvious ones are Independence Day and Stargate; two absolutely wonderful scores that rival Williams Star Wars already. Not to mention Arnold has a very very distinct style, yet he can mimic any other with completely convincing ways. He has like I said produced two huge sci-fi scores that rival Williams and Goldsmith, and he has written his Bond material and his Last of the Dogmen, with a 100% John Barry vibe that would convince anyone it was Barry himself. Not to mention his other big fantasy scores for Chronicles of Narnia and Paul. Arnold is an untapped genius, who if set on the right path of projects, could easily shoot to the top of global recognition akin to the greats. A Star Wars score, quite frankly, would be a walk in the park for him, considering his quality.

[Jilal 569]

Marcus!

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Marcus!

He'sh not up to the challenge!

[Jilal 569]

He sticks out like a sore thumb. We'll find him.

It's either Marcus or Don Davis if the latter were to resurrect from the dead, really.

[SF1_freeze 131]

After the wonderful HTTYD scores i think John Powell would be a great choice!

[leeallen01 2,133]

Not to mention Arnold has a very very distinct style, yet he can mimic any other with completely convincing ways. He has like I said produced two huge sci-fi scores that rival Williams and Goldsmith, and he has written his Bond material and his Last of the Dogmen, with a 100% John Barry vibe that would convince anyone it was Barry himself.

He didn't convince me. And he surely isn't capable of composing on the symphonic level of, say, TPM.

He isn't capable? Wow that couldn't be further from the truth.

If this doesn't convince you of his ability to sound like Barry and yet distinctly himself at the same time, then I don't know what will

And this IS Star Wars. He describes Stargate as Lawrence of Arabia meets Star Wars, and I can think of no other that can create a level of magic this high, required for a SW film besides Williams, and he achieves it in under a minute.

[publicist 4,643]

Let me phrase it this way: if THAT is what you want from film music, wonderful. Lots of music to enjoy then.

[leeallen01 2,133]

Let me phrase it this way: if THAT is what you want from film music, wonderful. Lots of music to enjoy then.

What a beautifully condescending sentence.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

The Arnold/Dodd team achieved musical magnificence in the 1990s in scores such as Stargate, Last of the Dogmen, Independence Day, Tomorrow Never Dies and Godzilla.

People weren't calling David Arnold the "next John Williams" back then for shits and giggles. He was becoming a big player at the time, but his career took a more low key direction where he focused more on Bond and the odd John Singleton, Michael Apted or Frank Oz film.

I'm not a fan of all of his Bond though. Casino Royale is an exhaustive album, and I find Quantum of Solace almost unlistenable.

But Narnia 3 demonstrated that he still has the capability to compose lush, dense and lyrical scores like he did in the 90s. But recently Hollywood hasn't allowed many composers a lot of opportunities to compose the big, thematic bombastic stuff they could get away with 20 years ago.

I still marvel at the fact that James Horner was allowed to do what he did on The Amazing Spider-Man, by using high register instruments, melodies and construct it with intelligence. It was the exception to the rule in modern cinema.

[publicist 4,643]

What a beautifully condescending sentence.

I did my very best.

People weren't calling David Arnold the "next John Williams" back then for shits and giggles.

Only people with Van Gogh's ear for music!

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Bugger off!

[publicist 4,643]

The thread is doomed anyway.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

There is no evidence to suggest that Vincent van Gogh was hard of hearing.

[Wojo 2,453]

Only in his left ear.

[Jilal 569]

The ear that left him?

[publicist 4,643]

The right ear would have followed suit if he'd have been forced to listen to ID4, STARGATE and GODZILLA.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

What a morbid thread. I may need to do one even more morbid.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Go for it?

[Wojo 2,453]

The right ear would have followed suit if he'd have been forced to listen to ID4, STARGATE and GODZILLA.

I've listened to all three and not ripped off my ears. I did rip off my nose, but that's not important. What is is... I'm better than VVG.

[leeallen01 2,133]

The right ear would have followed suit if he'd have been forced to listen to ID4, STARGATE and GODZILLA.

As quality and brilliance isn't your thing, I could suggest some Remote Control composers that you may enjoy. Perhaps monotonous 'atmospheric' music is more your thing.

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

Marty O'Donnell.

Indeed.

The right ear would have followed suit if he'd have been forced to listen to ID4, STARGATE and GODZILLA.

As quality and brilliance isn't your thing, I could suggest some Remote Control composers that you may enjoy. Perhaps monotonous 'atmospheric' music is more your thing.

Can't say that I'm fond of your tendency to reach out for an easy RCP-bash when you're in a spat with someone. Most unclassy.

[leeallen01 2,133]

Omg, like totes has to be Hans Zimmerman. He's the best like ever. So much better than that old guy who did the other Star Trek films. Zimmerman is a god. He should do everything ever because his music is so epic! I play (insert random war game) and listen to his epicness and it makes me feel like I'm really shooting some terrorists. Like totally.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Go for it?

I will do so after work.

[publicist 4,643]

Omg, like totes has to be Hans Zimmerman. He's the best like ever. So much better than that old guy who did the other Star Trek films. Zimmerman is a god. He should do everything ever because his music is so epic! I play (insert random war game) and listen to his epicness and it makes me feel like I'm really shooting some terrorists. Like totally.

Says the guy who thinks second-rate imitations of 80's film music that sounds like Williams, Goldsmith, Horner and Silvestri put through a blender is the second coming of film music.

What a world...

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

Once again, I say, most unclassy of him!

One should be able to make a point without putting down another composer, Zimmer or otherwise.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

But it's so fun!

[Dixon Hill 4,232]

At any rate, I echo Quintus' sentiments about Marty O'Donnell. He or Jeremy Soule would surely provide the sort of thing that's needed. There's some great talent in video game music. More now than ever before - no, I was never a fan of all the old Japanese game composers and that stuff.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Giacchino. There is no other.

[Bespin 8,474]

After JW, there will be no others.

I tell you seriously, he's my last.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

You'll still have Aznavour.

[Bespin 8,474]

You'll still have Aznavour.

Yes, he's only 91 after all.

[publicist 4,643]

And, like every french singer, still smoking, drinking and partying hard!