John Williams to score Spielberg's next?

[Jay 37,268]

Spielberg has co-written and will direct a film inspired by his childhood starring Michelle Williams as a character inspired by his mother.

 

https://deadline.com/2021/03/steven-spielberg-untitled-project-childhood-michelle-williams-1234709935/

 

Filming begins summer 2021 and it is expected to release in 2022

 

What do we think, will John Williams write the original score to this film?

 

If so, it will be their 29th feature film collaboration.

[Edmilson 7,372]

The only way I see in which Spielberg DOES NOT use Williams is if Covid restrictions stop JW to go to the recording sessions. But then again, by early 2022 I believe JW (and Spielberg) will be vaccinated.

[TownerFan 4,983]

Of course he will.

The only reasons he wouldn’t are health-, or pandemic-related—let’s hope we’ll be out of the tunnel in 2022!

 

This could be Spielberg’s version of Truffaut’s “L’argent de poche” (Small Change). It’s interesting he was working on a similar project in 1981 (called “After School”) and that turned into ET. 

[Jay 37,268]

2 minutes ago, TownerFan said:

It’s interesting he was working on a similar project in 1981 (called “After School”) and that turned into ET. 

 

I don't know this story

[TownerFan 4,983]

In 1980-81 he worked with Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale on a script based on his childhood in Arizona tentatively called “After School”, and later “Growing Up”. The project never got made, but some of that bled into ET.

 

Here’s more info:

 

“After School”/“Growing Up/I’ll Be Home

Like all great auteurs, even Spielberg’s biggest budget movies have felt deeply personal, but the director has so far shied away from naked, or even veiled,
autobiography. Which isn’t to say he hasn’t considered it. On the set of ‘Close Encounters,’ Francois Truffaut urged Spielberg to make an American equivalent to the director’s own “Small Change,” saying, “You must make a movie about keeds. You must stop all this big stuff and make a movie about keeds! If it’s the last thing you do!” As a result, the director approached Bobs Gale and Zemeckis, whose script “  1941” he was already prepping, to write a movie with the wide brief of being about children, that he could shoot quickly on a low budget before their epic war comedy could be filmed. Announced in 1978 as “a personal story of his own young adulthood,” the film was a foul-mouthed, R-rated comedy about
12-year-olds called “After School,” which Spielberg approved of. “I don’t want to make a movie about children that’s dimples or cuteness,” he said
at the time. “It’s my first vendetta film. I’m going to get back at about twenty people I’ve always wanted to get back at.” The film (retitled at some point “Growing Up”) was set to shoot in May 1978 with a budget of just $1.5 million, but when Caleb Deschanel, recruited to shoot the film,
called the script “disgusting,” Spielberg got cold feet and backed out. Which isn’t to say he abandoned the idea of something more personal altogether: as
recently as 1999 he talked about a project called “I’ll Be Home,” about his own childhood, written by sister Anne (who also wrote “Big”), but also mentioned his hesitations, telling the New York Times, “My big fear is that my mom and dad won’t like it and will think it’s an insult and won’t share my loving yet critical point of view about what it was like to grow up with them.”

 

https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/the-lost-unmade-projects-of-steven-spielberg-112055/

[Jay 37,268]

Interesting!  Here's the wikipedia write-up of this

 

Quote

After his parents' divorce in 1960, Spielberg filled the void with an imaginary alien companion. He said that the imaginary alien was "a friend who could be the brother [he] never had and a father that [he] didn't feel [he] had anymore".[4] In 1978, he announced he would shoot a film entitled Growing Up, which he would film in four weeks. The project was set aside because of delays on 1941, but the concept of making a small autobiographical film about childhood would stay with him.[5] He also thought about a follow-up to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and began to develop a darker project he had planned with John Sayles called Night Skies in which malevolent aliens terrorize a family.[5]

Filming Raiders of the Lost Ark in Tunisia caused a sense of loneliness in Spielberg, far from his family and friends, and made memories of his childhood creation resurface.[5][6] He told screenwriter Melissa Mathison about Night Skies, and developed a subplot from the failed project, in which Buddy, the only friendly alien, befriends an autistic child. His abandonment on Earth in the script's final scene inspired the E.T. concept.[6] She wrote a first draft titled E.T. and Me in eight weeks,[6] which he considered perfect.[7] The script went through two more drafts, which deleted an "Eddie Haskell"–esque friend of Elliott. The chase sequence was also created, and he also suggested having the scene where E.T. got drunk.[5]

In early summer 1981, while Raiders of the Lost Ark was being promoted, Columbia Pictures met with Spielberg to discuss the script, after having to develop Night Skies with the director as the intended sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. However, the head of Columbia Pictures' marketing and research development, Marvin Atonowsky, concluded that it had a limited commercial potential, believing that it would appeal to mostly young kids.[8] The President of Columbia's worldwide productions, John Veitch, also felt that the script was not good or scary enough to draw enough crowd. On the advice of Atonowsky and Veitch, Columbia Pictures CEO Frank Price passed on the project, thus putting it in a turnaround, so Spielberg approached the more receptive Sid Sheinberg, president of MCA, the then-parent company of Universal Studios.[9][8] Spielberg told Sheinberg to acquire the E.T. script from Columbia Pictures, which he did for $1 million and struck a deal with Price in which Columbia would retain 5% of the film's net profits. Veitch later recalled that "I think [in 1982] we made more on that picture than we did on any of our films."[8]

 

[mrbellamy 6,270]

I think John Williams will very much want to do this and Spielberg will obviously want his music. So it'll just depend on other factors.

 

If not I think it'll probably be Thomas Newman. Or maybe he'd even surprise with no score.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

I don't know what the future may hold and I'm just as hopeful as the next fella, but if Spielberg and Williams are going to have one last hurrah together, this sounds like the perfect project. 

[MrScratch 294]

Williams will score this movie, and I hope he does.  Since this is so personal to Spielberg, we might get a really special score from JW.

[Muad'Dib 1,800]

Sounds great! Though nothing guarantees Spielberg will go ahead with this particular project, but I'm optimistic about it.

 

Here's hoping for a small, intimate score.

[mrbellamy 6,270]

Considering he's co-writing it and it's autobiographical, I would think there's a better shot than some of the other random projects that have had false starts. Covid is a factor obviously.

 

Then again he couldn't find the right little Jewish boy for Edgardo Mortara so it may be twice as hard when it's his Mini-Me!

[Fabulin 3,506]

.

[Jay 37,268]

What's with the empty posts by you lately, @Fabulin?

[JohnnyD 1,220]

This is the first time since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker where I have been excited to see a film based on early news descriptions before seeing an actual trailer. This film sounds VERY special, and I have no doubt that Maestro John Williams will do the music for what sounds to be Spielberg’s most personal story he has written/directed. As long as there is no scheduling conflict with the fifth and final Indiana Jones film, there is no doubt.

[Fabulin 3,506]

29 minutes ago, Jay said:

What's with the empty posts by you lately, @Fabulin?

I erase redundant or poor quality remarks, mistakes, weak jokes, and posts that have, on a second thought, been too negative. In contrast to BloodBoal, I leave the good stuff.

[crumbs 14,287]

12 minutes ago, JohnnyD said:

As long as there is no scheduling conflict with the fifth and final Indiana Jones film, there is no doubt.

 

That hadn't even occurred to me. Would be ironic, after finally moving past all the Star Wars scheduling conflicts.

 

Hopefully he can do both projects. If Indy 5 releases as planned, JW should be scoring it before the end of the year (seems a little farfetched to me).

 

Anyway, this sounds like a much better final collaboration than The Post. Seems like a fitting way to close out their partnership, if indeed it does.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Shall we start on official betting pool on if JW will score Indy 5? (assuming the film itself actually happens still).  I'm firmly in the "no way" camp.

[mrbellamy 6,270]

I'm not "no way" but it seems unlikely.

[crumbs 14,287]

3 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Shall we start on official betting pool on if JW will score Indy 5? (assuming the film itself actually happens still).  I'm firmly in the "no way" camp.

 

They're meant to start shooting in May, which is hard to believe.

 

It'll probably end up like TLJ. We'll hear no official word all throughout production then he'll make some offhand comment right before he starts writing (complete with amusing anecdote about doing yet another Indy score after 4 decades).

[Disco Stu 15,495]

4 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 

They're meant to start shooting in May, which is hard to believe.

 

It'll probably end up like TLJ. We'll hear no official word all throughout production then he'll make some offhand comment right before he starts writing (complete with amusing anecdote about doing yet another Indy score after 4 decades).

 

I'm saying that even if it's made, I don't think JW will score it.

[Muad'Dib 1,800]

12 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

I'm saying that even if it's made, I don't think JW will score it.

 

Agreed. At most we'll have a Solo-like situation.

[TheUlyssesian 2,473]

JW will 100% score this movie baring some extraordinary event.

[Edmilson 7,372]

So, luckily next year we'll have not one, but TWO new Williams scores. Indy 5 in July and Little Spielberg by the end of the year (to improve its Oscar chances). 

[Fabulin 3,506]

56 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

So, luckily next year we'll have not one, but TWO new Williams scores. Indy 5 in July and Little Spielberg by the end of the year (to improve its Oscar chances). 

Or they will compete against each other and he will lose.

[crumbs 14,287]

In that new interview, it sounded like Williams was itching to get back to film scoring. I'm yet to hear a compelling argument why he would pass on Indy 5, except that Spielberg himself isn't directing it. That didn't stop him from scoring a Star Wars trilogy without Lucas, or other films he simply had a personal interest in (Memoirs, Book Thief).

 

We all know he's protective of certain themes and loves working with/providing work for LA musicians. Marshall, Kennedy and Spielberg will want him to do it, the studio execs at Disney will want him to do it. He has nothing else on his plate except this small Spielberg film, whenever that materializes.

 

For all we know, he's Mangold's first choice too. I doubt Abrams or Johnson even entertained the idea of Giacchino/Johnson scoring their films and missing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with Williams.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

[BrotherSound 2,242]

1 hour ago, crumbs said:

I'm yet to hear a logical argument why he would pass on Indy 5, except that Spielberg himself isn't directing it.

I think the fact it’s been touted as the “final Indiana Jones film” increases the chance he’d take the assignment, even without Spielberg on board.

[Not Mr. Big 4,639]

2 hours ago, crumbs said:

In that new interview, it sounded like Williams was itching to get back to film scoring. I'm yet to hear a logical argument why he would pass on Indy 5, except that Spielberg himself isn't directing it. That didn't stop him from scoring a Star Wars trilogy without Lucas, or other films he simply had a personal interest in (Memoirs, Book Thief).

 

I don't know if Williams is overly eager to score yet another heavily-edited SFX extravaganza just for it to be butchered in post.  

[Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,429]

7 hours ago, Edmilson said:

So, luckily next year we'll have not one, but TWO new Williams scores. Indy 5 in July and Little Spielberg by the end of the year (to improve its Oscar chances). 

Or like in the past 30 years itch they will give it to someone else even if his score is way better, it's the Oscars after all...

Anyway the scores will probably be great and I think it's all what matter.

[Quintus 5,399]

I think it's quite sweet that Spielberg would like to make a film tribute to his mother. Michelle Williams is great casting, I'm sure his mom will be flattered. I wouldn't go to the cinema to see it, though. 

[crumbs 14,287]

3 hours ago, Not Mr. Big said:

I don't know if Williams is overly eager to score yet another heavily-edited SFX extravaganza just for it to be butchered in post.  

 

Good point. I guess they'd offer him the same recording schedule he got for Star Wars though, which he seemed happy about it.

 

It means lots of extra work for musicians too, which he's probably mindful about (especially after the way COVID ravaged the industry).

[Gurkensalat 336]

3 hours ago, Not Mr. Big said:

I don't know if Williams is overly eager to score yet another heavily-edited SFX extravaganza just for it to be butchered in post.  

 

Spielberg is still involved, right? So I would hope that he would prevent that.

8 hours ago, Edmilson said:

So, luckily next year we'll have not one, but TWO new Williams scores. Indy 5 in July and Little Spielberg by the end of the year (to improve its Oscar chances). 

 

That would be the absolute dream! Still hoping.

[TownerFan 4,983]

JW will get first option to score Indy 5 and it will totally be up to him to accept or decline the assignment, there's no question about it.

 

I have a hunch he might decline this time around, but his fondness for the character and the franchise is well known so it might be very tempting for him to have one final hurrah with Indy's heroics, as it happened with Star Wars.

[Steve 589]

Spielberg should really make a JW documentary, now that JW is still alive and can be interviewed. Spielberg must have tons of video material from sessions and other meetings. Would be really interesting. 8th February 2022 would be a good release date.

[Thor 7,457]

56 minutes ago, Steve said:

Spielberg should really make a JW documentary, now that JW is still alive and can be interviewed. Spielberg must have tons of video material from sessions and other meetings. Would be really interesting. 8th February 2022 would be a good release date.

 

He should, yes, just as Tornatore has done with Morricone recently. He managed to get some interview quotes before his passing. Spielberg should do the same.

[GerateWohl 4,322]

I would rather vote for a biopic about Williams. 

 

Three trilogies. And start with the middle one.

[Tom Guernsey 2,277]

I think I'd rather have JW score the Spielberg film and John Powell score Indy 5 (with a new JW theme or two although I think JP is quite capable of writing some great new themes as he showed with Solo).

[filmmusic 1,822]

16 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

I think I'd rather have JW score the Spielberg film

Yeah, me too. I don't need another Indy score.

 

[Thor 7,457]

20 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

I think I'd rather have JW score the Spielberg film and John Powell score Indy 5 (with a new JW theme or two although I think JP is quite capable of writing some great new themes as he showed with Solo).

 

I'd want Joel McNeely to do the INDY film, since he provided some great scores for the YOUNG INDY series (I prefer his material over Rosenthal's). But the likelihood of that happening is zero. He's not A list enough.

 

But yeah -- I'd much rather have Williams do this new Spielberg film, should it come into fruition.

[GerateWohl 4,322]

Wrong thread. But a reissue of all the Young Indy scores would be nice. I have just one of them.

[mrbellamy 6,270]

5 hours ago, Quintus said:

Michelle Williams is great casting, I'm sure his mom will be flattered.

 

If she were still alive she probably would be.

[Thor 7,457]

6 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

 

If she were still alive she probably would be.

 

She had great innings, though! Passed at age 97 in 2017. Williams' mother about the same age, back in 2006-ish. Gene-wise, that bodes well for many more collabs.

[Quintus 5,399]

Oh is it his dad who's still alive then. I recall he lost a parent not so long ago, wasn't sure which one. 

 

13 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

 

If she were still alive she probably would be.

 

From Gan Eden. 

[Thor 7,457]

23 minutes ago, Quintus said:

Oh is it his dad who's still alive then. I recall he lost a parent not so long ago, wasn't sure which one. 

 

Arnold died last year, aged 103(!). Amazing genes, all around. Poor John Williams sr. is the odd one out among the four parents, as he only reached 79.

[mrbellamy 6,270]

It's interesting that he's mentioned wanting to make a film like this for awhile but was always afraid what his parents would think of it. He must have started reflecting on it again after losing both of them. 

[Will 2,215]

Given that this sounds like it will be a deeply personal project for Spielberg, I'd say there's about a 99% chance JW scores this! Very exciting! 

 

I also very much hope JW scores Indiana Jones, simply because it's probably his last chance to score a blockbuster action film, but the Spielberg project sounds more promising if I had to pick one or the other. Here's hoping JW resurrects a bit of the E.T. sound for this. 

[Fabulin 3,506]

Maybe the delays of the pandemic made Spielberg realize that he has no time to waste on making other films if he wants to have Johnny, who will soon be 90, score his autobiographical picture.

[Jay 37,268]

I don't think any director plans their films around the availability of composers.

[Quintus 5,399]

Unlike some film music fans, who plan their lives around the availability scores. 

[Thor 7,457]

If I'm allowed a little bit of trepidation here, amidst the rightful enthusiasm, I both fear and think it's likely that it will be another THE BFG or THE BOOK THIEF. But it's a long way still, and I allow lots of room for a positive surprise (much like THE POST was). First the movie needs to be made, and first we need to know that Williams is scoring it.