Hans Zimmer is one of the biggest names among film composers and has been for quite some time. His filmography stretches for decades and includes titles such as “Inception,” “Dunkirk,” and “The Lion King,” the latter of which he won an Oscar. Apart from his creative, working relationship with directors like Christopher Nolan, Zimmer is known for his superhero music, featured in films “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” “Man Of Steel,” and of course, “The Dark Knight.”
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Fans were rather stunned when Zimmer announced he would no longer be composing music for the superhero genre. This, however, was rather short-lived. Zimmer is composing music that will be featured in the upcoming “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” and Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984.” So, what prompted the sudden change?
In an interview with Collider, Zimmer goes into his reasoning for leaving the genre. “I had lost my voice somehow,” he says, having found the words. “I didn’t have any new ideas…I had made some sort of, stupid, blanket statement.”
The composer reveals, however, that it was a conversation with director Ron Howard that started him on a turn-around. “Ron Howard, who I really consider as a man of great wisdom and a great friend, quietly said to me, ‘You know Hans, you should never say no. You should always go, ‘I’m waiting for great story. Because the genre doesn’t matter. You want a great story.'”
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The legendary composer later discusses a meeting with ‘Dark Phoenix’ director Simon Kinberg and an idea he always wanted to try. It bodes well, then, that Zimmer has found a quality story within ‘Dark Phoenix’ and the coming “Wonder Woman” sequel. Along with these two credits, Zimmer will revisit familiar material as he continues work on the live action “The Lion King.” Until then, the next time fans can hear one of Zimmer’s compositions will be Steve McQueen‘s recent festival triumph “Widows,” hitting theaters November 16.
Watch the full interview below: