WithStar Wars 8midway through production, it still hasn’t been announced whether or not composerJohn Williamswill be back to score the soundtrack. He remains undecided, but one thing is for certain. He doesn’t really want to see anyone else take on the job, either.
John Williamsrecently conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra, where he opened the show with a hint about his participation in the nextStar Wars sequel. He only briefly mentions the movie, but it sounds like a big possibility that he may not return. He has this to say about scoringStar Wars: Episode VIII, as reported byJWFan.com.
“I told the producers I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do the next one, but told them I didn’t want anyone else doing it either.”
The last half of the statement was meant as a joke. And it got a laugh from the crowd just as the conductor led into the Scherzo for X-wings track offThe Force Awakens soundtrack. It’s clear that the musician doesn’t want to relinquish control to someone else, having been in charge of the live-actionStar Warsmovies since 1977, starting withA New Hope. This December’s spinoffRogue One: A Star Wars Storywill mark the first big screen entry that he has not been in charge of, withAlexandre Desplatdoing the music.
BeforeJohn Williamscommitted to doingThe Force Awakens, there was some question whether or not he would return due to health issues. The conductor had to drop out of Steven Spielberg’sBridge of Spies, but is returning for the filmmaker’s next projectThe BFG. When the official press release came out forThe Force Awakens, it was stated that he would be doing the entire new trilogy. Later press releases from Disney and LucasFilm backed off that, stating he was only doing the music forEpisode VII.
John Williamshas sounded enthusiastic about returning for moreStar Warsin the recent past. But taking on such a commitment at his age has become somewhat of a burden. If the composer doesn’t return, it’s possible thatAlexandre Desplatcould step in to replace him. It isn’t known when a final decision will be made. There are still a couple of months left for theStar Wars: Episode VIIIshoot. So don’t expect to hear an official confirmation until sometime in late summer or this fall.
