Currently, Hans Zimmer’s music can once again be heard in cinemas around the world – namely in the sci-fi blockbuster “Dune: Part Two” by Denis Villeneuve. But when ‘Gladiator 2′ premieres on November 21, 2024, we won’t hear Zimmer’s score, but Harry Gregson-Williams’. In an interview he explained why the celebrated composer, who wrote a piece of film music history in 2000 with his soundtrack for ‘Gladiator’, will not return for the sequel.
No Hans Zimmer, no repeat
The news that Zimmer would not score Gladiator 2 surprised many earlier this year. After all, the bombastic score not only has catchy potential, but also had a decisive influence on the atmosphere of the monumental film – Hans Zimmer. But the reason that the Frankfurt resident now gives to the magazine gave, reads coherently and is based on a recent experience of the composer.
“It’s easy. I’ve done this world before. And I think I did it right,” Zimmer said. And either I can try to repeat myself, which I don’t want to, or I’ll be taken apart by the critics. they say ‘you didn’t do as well as the first time’.”
Zimmer explained that he had worked on film series often enough, having made three Batman films, four “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and four “Kung Fu Panda” films: “I like the idea of developing myself and not being compared to my own work.” The music of “Gladiator” in particular has a special place in his heart and has also become dear to the audience. It must remain that way.
Bad experience with the remake of “Lion King”.
Zimmer has personally experienced that things don’t always end well when you try to further develop your own iconic film music: “I had that experience watching the live-action version of ‘The lionking‘ have made. I tried to break my usual ways. But every time I did that, it just didn’t work. So all I could do was repeat myself. You owe it to yourself and the audience to try new things.”
Even though Hans Zimmer is in danger of not repeating himself in ‘Gladiator 2’, perhaps something of his signature can be recognized in the music. Because his successor Harry Gregson-Williams once started as Zimmer’s assistant. The two have already discussed their work on ‘Gladiator 2’ – and Harry Gregson-Williams probably gets Zimmer’s highest praise: he’s a ‘phenomenal’ composer.
“Gladiator 2” by Ridley Scott hits theaters on November 21, 2024. The film will star Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn.