J.J. Abrams Wants John Williams For ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’
Star Wars: Episode VII director J. J. Abrams has unequivocally marked his vote for John Williams as the man to score the first of the three new movies in the now Disney-owned franchise.
Earlier speculation about who would or indeed should wield the golden baton centered on Michael Giacchino — Abrams’ long-standing go-to composer — as the prime contender.
But, at a Monday press conference in Berlin for Star Trek Into Darkness, the 46-year-old helmer said:
“Michael Giacchino is an incredible composer, who I was lucky enough to begin working with on Alias. He’s truly one of the most influential members of our crew, and I think this score, he really outdid himself.”
“Again, for Star Wars, it’s very early days, but I believe that, going forward, John Williams will be doing that film, because he was there long before I was.”
For his part, Williams is on record as keen to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
Back in February, just before conducting the score at young musicians concert, the 81-year-old — who won an Oscar for his iconic theme to the original 1977 movie — told the audience:
“We’re about to play Star Wars … Neither I, nor George … thought this would go far or [that] in a few years there would be a sequel and I’d have to revisit the themes … and years later another trilogy.”
He added: “Now we’re hearing of a new set of movies coming in 2015, 2016 … so I need to make sure I’m still ready to go in a few years for what I hope would be continued work with George.”
Last October, Disney purchased Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion. However, it seems even though Lucas is no longer running the show the old players are lining up for recommission.
As well as the seriously strong likelihood that Williams will score the next Star Wars movie, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are also reportedly circling reprise roles in the upcoming blockbuster.
Williams’ repertoire includes E.T. The Extraterrestial, Jaws, Superman, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, the Indiana Jones films, Schindler’s List,Jurassic Park, the first three Harry Potter films and Lincoln.
And very soon the grand old man of movie soundtracks could be returning to the galaxy he put such a profound stamp on more than 35 years ago.
Talk about history.
Star Wars Episode VII is slated for release in summer 2015.