Spider-Man 4 Score: Danny Elfman or Christopher Young?

[SpiderRock88]

Danny Elfman scored Spider-Man, and most of Spider-Man 2, Chrisopher Young scored some of Spider-Man 2, and most of Spider-Man 3, using Danny's original themes, and the assistance of Deborah Lourie, and John Debney.

Who would you like to score Spider-Man 4? Elfman or Young? Or someone new?

Personally i would love them both to work on the score. I think both Danny and Chris would be great together, like Hanz Zimmer and James Newton Howard with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

[webhead731]

Yes! Exactly what I was about to say. They KIND OF collaborated for Spider-Man 2..DO IT FOR SPIDER-MAN 4! xD

I love Elfman's themes alot. It's like Batman 89's themes, they just work with the character perfectly! I can't see Spidey's theme playing over any other movie, just like Batman's theme could never go over another movie. It just isn't going to work.

Spider-Man music needs to stay. I was happy with Spider-Man 3's music. Elfman did leave which worried me, but Young kept the themes and made new music too (which I found great). The themes have always helped these movies tremendously. No one new. Elfman and Young. Discussion closed! :cmad: :)

[The Black Goo]

I think Raimi should kiss Elfman's butt and get him back on board, let him compose what he wants to compose. I would be happy if Young and Elfman would collab again, I thought the music was beautifully mixed in SM2. I just picture with Young's love for evilistic brassy music could work for the Lizard, if we get him.

[venomvsspidey]

Same. Young And Or Elfman. Noone Else. And Who Thinks Or Hopes Will This One Get Released? It's such a shame that 3's didnt get released. twas my favorite of all three. even if it was copy and paste with few new music, i think young scored it beautifully. Venom's theme was so kick-ass,and the fact that not even a 40 to 50 minute score album out of this 2 hour film score makes me REALLY PISSED OFF. But i just saw that intrada released honey, i shrunk the kids film score,another great score that was unreleased for 20 years,and had legal issues from a borrowed theme. so in about 2027, we should be seeing a spider-man 3 score lol. but i hope young decides to release a compilation album or a suites and themes album with 3's score on it.keep your fingers crossed!!

[Catman]

They KIND OF collaborated for Spider-Man 2

No they didn't. Elfman walked off the picture and Young re-scored the scenes, Raimi, wasn't happy with. I wouldn't call that a collaboration.

[Spider-ManHero12]

Well, I think Sam and Elfman should forgive eachother, IMO. Elfman's music was so powerful. I also really liked Chris Young's score as well though. So, if Sam can, bring Elfman back. If not, bring in Chris Young.

[ross2287]

I'd love for Elfman to be back but realistically, I don't see it happening.

That said, I'd love John Debney to adapt Elfman's themes and score it.

[SpaceWay2009]

Danny Elfman. If not, then Christopher Young should replace him.

[spiderfan970]

Why did Elfman walk? What conflict was so huge that Elfman had to quit?

[venomvsspidey]

Why did Elfman walk? What conflict was so huge that Elfman had to quit?

well raimi wanted elfman to keep on temping tracks, then on one cue raimi wanted elfman refused to emulate one of chris young's cues.elfman finally said "YOU WANT CHRIS YOUNG? THEN GO GET CHRIS YOUNG!!". and raimi did. hence, the falling out,because of temp tracking and cue emulation,which as an unwanted bonus got us the no spider-man 3 score album.

ELFMAN: They wanted this one cue that was basically from Hellraiser and I
was like "I can't get any closer and I'm not going to imitate [Hellraiser
composer] Christopher Young. Go ******* hire Christopher Young." So they
hired Christopher Young to do a cue like Hellraiser and he couldn't get
close enough to Hellraiser so they ended up licensing the cue from
Hellraiser.

[spiderfan970]

Hahaha what the hell....They copied Hellraiser?

If I ever had a movie I would just let Elfman do whatever he thought were best. How many freaking movies has he worked on? I'm certain that he could have created a better original score, rather than copying Hellraiser. Every interview I see or read with him is always interesting and insightful. The man knows his stuff.

[ross2287]

One of the best modern film composers today, hands down.
:up:

[NewYorkSpider]

I would prefer Elfman, but Young is good too.

[venomvsspidey]

Hahaha what the hell....They copied Hellraiser?

If I ever had a movie I would just let Elfman do whatever he thought were best. How many freaking movies has he worked on? I'm certain that he could have created a better original score, rather than copying Hellraiser. Every interview I see or read with him is always interesting and insightful. The man knows his stuff.

kinda...the cues on the complete score of spider-man 2 [and the additional] composed by young, the demonstration cues, and the train part 1 and 2 have a striking resemblance to the hellraiser scores.

[Max Shrek]

If we could get back to Hellraiser 1/2 Young, I'd take Young over Elfman in an instant. Hellraiser 1 and 2 (especially 2) have some of the most powerful scores ever put to screen; they really help the feel that this an epic, majestic and almost fairytale-esque horror film not a slasher. But Spider-Man 3 unfortunately was very bland, IMO, compared to his work on those (with the possible exception of Sandman's reconstruction).

[sPiDeRmAn2o29]

Danny Elfman scored Spider-Man, and most of Spider-Man 2, Chrisopher Young scored some of Spider-Man 2, and most of Spider-Man 3, using Danny's original themes, and the assistance of Deborah Lourie, and John Debney.

Who would you like to score Spider-Man 4? Elfman or Young? Or someone new?

Personally i would love them both to work on the score. I think both Danny and Chris would be great together, like Hanz Zimmer and James Newton Howard with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

Danny elfman by far ! I emailed chris young about the spiderman 3 score and he said that it would come out yet it never did. Never replies back after I asked again. :spidey:

[venomvsspidey]

you have some good points but young wrote 10 themes that were ultimatley dropped in favor of elfman's music. so while i still love the score of spider-man 3,really the people to blame are sony for sm3's blandness are sony music.

[venomvsspidey]

Danny elfman by far ! I emailed chris young about the spiderman 3 score and he said that it would come out yet it never did. Never replies back after I asked again. :spidey:


i dont think that was young, as i did that too and i got the same thing.yet when i called 1st artists management [the people that rep. young] they gave me, unfortunately, a bona-fide NO. ;(

[sPiDeRmAn2o29]

i dont think that was young, as i did that too and i got the same thing.yet when i called 1st artists management [the people that rep. young] they gave me, unfortunately, a bona-fide NO. ;(

I emailed the right guy, it was from his official website as well.

[The Chris]

Well Raimi is working with Young on Drag Me to Hell too so I can see them continuing their working relationship. I'll be honest though, Danny seems to have a little bit of an ego. Right or wrong. I heard he had a falling out with Tim Burton a while ago too. Don't remember where I heard that though.

[venomvsspidey]

^^

lets hope.
and i heard he had a falling out with burton also.

[SpiderRock88]

great hear everyones opinions. I really hope the score is good no matter who they get. Im sure Sam and Danny could/should resolve their differences and continue but i think in the end were gonna get Chris Young. asnd who knows, maybe we'll get the Spidey 3 score..but for now, my fan made score will do! lol

[webhead731]

We can't blame Sam ENTIRELY. I mean, he is the director of the movie, he knows what he wants for music. Elfman wasn't really listening to or considering Raimi's requests. I think his reaction while quitting was a bit childish. But I guess I can see how that can make a composer feel, being told that "it's not good enough and I need this". But I think the director knows what he wants, and the composer should try collaborating with him to get it right.

If I were Raimi however, I would not have let him go, considering how good his themes are.

[ross2287]

Thread needs a poll. :up:

[Batman137]

a good score can change a movie drastically. I think Elfman and Young would be fantastic. I really want to see the score taken in a different direction. Have the same general themes, but change it up a bit.

[Milu]

No they didn't. Elfman walked off the picture and Young re-scored the scenes, Raimi, wasn't happy with. I wouldn't call that a collaboration.
I'd call that a butchering :cmad: .

Still waiting for a cut of Spider-Man 2 with all of Elfman's missing cues restored . . .

[mclay18]

I fully expect Young to take the reins of SM-4 and not worry about his new themes for MJ, Aunt May or anyone else being removed and have those scenes temped in with cues from Elfman's scores for the first two films.

Raimi has total creative control, whether that extends to whether Sony music execs can butcher Young's score or not is up in the air.

I'd be shocked if Raimi goes for someone else entirely.

[SpiderRock88]

I fully expect Young to take the reins of SM-4 and not worry about his new themes for MJ, Aunt May or anyone else being removed and have those scenes temped in with cues from Elfman's scores for the first two films.

Raimi has total creative control, whether that extends to whether Sony music execs can butcher Young's score or not is up in the air.

I'd be shocked if Raimi goes for someone else entirely.

i agree, i think he is gonna stay with Young but he should really try and bring back Elfman along as well

[mclay18]

It's a snowball's chance in hell that Elfman and Raimi will kiss and make up, but if it does happen then I'm all for an Elfman-scored SM-4.

[3dman27]

either mr elfman or mr young

[Secret_Riddle]

Give Elfman complete control over the music. Raimi should write him a letter or give him a call, and tell him that he now understands what it's like to lose creative control over something you put so much time into. A proper collaboration between Raimi and Elfman is important, but not as important as allowing Elfman to stamp the score in his own unique way. Let's be honest the guy isn't going to throw away the themes or anything so what's the problem? Young's score was a big step down.

[Symbiote666]

I liked Young's score, as single music tracks but I felt it was far too overpowering. Especially the Sandman and Symbiote scene. It felt like every scene had it's own soundtrack, rather than them all forming one big soundtrack.

[SpaceWay2009]

I agree with Secret Riddle. I think Raimii should do that. Both have experienced the lost of creative control. Raimi in Spider-Man 3, and Elfman in Spider-Man 2.

[mclay18]

I liked Young's score, as single music tracks but I felt it was far too overpowering. Especially the Sandman and Symbiote scene. It felt like every scene had it's own soundtrack, rather than them all forming one big soundtrack.

There was an interview with Young shortly after S-M 3 came out, and he admitted that he came up with lots of new themes -- the black Spidey suit, Sandman, the symbiote/Venom, Aunt May, Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy. (And the tampering of Sony music execs just as post-production was wrapping up, Elfman's music was temped in as well as Debney and Lurie adapting Elfman's themes in the tone of Young's score.)

I did love Young's prominent theme usage of Sandman and Venom -- Elfman's villain themes in the Spidey movies were a bit too subtle and understated while Young's music had the right punch to it.

[venomvsspidey]

yup. it's in one of these interviews

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32911

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32531

[OperationBedlam]

We can't blame Sam ENTIRELY. I mean, he is the director of the movie, he knows what he wants for music. Elfman wasn't really listening to or considering Raimi's requests. I think his reaction while quitting was a bit childish. But I guess I can see how that can make a composer feel, being told that "it's not good enough and I need this". But I think the director knows what he wants, and the composer should try collaborating with him to get it right.


How is it Elfman's problem?

Raimi hired him, not Young. What Raimi was telling him was that he wanted Christopher Young's music, hence saying Elfman's music wasn't good enough. Listening to the complete score, Elfman did a really good job and Raimi was wrong. Young showed what he could do, and unfortunately he will likely be back for 4.

Elfman did have a problem with Burton with The Nightmare Before Christmas, but that was due more to the soundtrack and what was presented rather than material or ego issues. They took a break for ED WOOD, but Elfman has been his composer ever since.

[Milu]

I'll give Young some credit, in that his Venom theme is pretty much what I would expect a Venom theme to sound like: demonic and unsettling.

[Spider-ManHero12]

CHris YOuung confirmed for #4. He already answered since it's a live feed, bu they are interviewing him.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fangoria

[venomvsspidey]

CHris YOuung confirmed for #4. He already answered since it's a live feed, bu they are interviewing him.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fangoria

it wont play...but anyways...


YAY!!! NOW, LETS GET A SCORE RELEASE THIS TIME!!!!!

[venomvsspidey]

all i know is that if i dont see spider-man 4's score album a month after its out im callin sony/intrada/young's or whoevers the composer's publishers and asking where it is! as opposed to a year later

[Batman137]

hmmm, how do we know he is confirmed?

[venomvsspidey]

hmmm, how do we know he is confirmed?


http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16780931&postcount=38

but..im not sure...im just hoping..

[Spider-ManHero12]

^^ It's true, honestly. He said it himself. :up:

[venomvsspidey]

^^ It's true, honestly. He said it himself. :up:

like i believe you...but it still wont play anything...

[Spider-ManHero12]

Can't find ANY video anywhere.

[spidermilk]

I think Raimi should kiss Elfman's butt and get him back on board, let him compose what he wants to compose. I would be happy if Young and Elfman would collab again, I thought the music was beautifully mixed in SM2. I just picture with Young's love for evilistic brassy music could work for the Lizard, if we get him.

lol

Elfman has a great talent for the movies he put on, it would also be great if he could come back however Christoper's themes for sandman was about the best thing in S3 disregarding how bad that movie was.

[protocida]

Elfman, definetly.

[theRedRider52]

Resurrected John Williams

[The Chris]

After Terminator Salvation, I'm leaning towards Christopher Young more. Elfman disappointed me there, and in Hellboy II as well. Plus, if Young is the more Directable of the two, then Sam should definitely keep working with him. (Young scores Drag Me to Hell)

[mclay18]

After Terminator Salvation, I'm leaning towards Christopher Young more. Elfman disappointed me there, and in Hellboy II as well. Plus, if Young is the more Directable of the two, then Sam should definitely keep working with him. (Young scores Drag Me to Hell)

The thing is, Elfman was brought onto two franchises with a established main theme. Brad Fiedel had established the sound for Terminator way before Elfman even hit it big with Batman, and I don't know what Guillermo del Toro was smoking when he passed up Marco Beltrami in favor of Elfman for Hellboy II (Hellboy is one of Beltrami's finest scores).

Elfman does better doing sequels to movies he's already scored, because he knows the overall sound of his themes better. A lot of people prefer Elfman's Batman Returns to Batman, but I think Elfman hit it out of the park with Spider-Man 2 (despite the post-production grief Raimi gave him with the temping issue).

Young's score for Spider-Man 3 is a lot of fun though.

[The Chris]

The thing is, Elfman was brought onto two franchises with a established main theme. Brad Fiedel had established the sound for Terminator way before Elfman even hit it big with Batman, and I don't know what Guillermo del Toro was smoking when he passed up Marco Beltrami in favor of Elfman for Hellboy II (Hellboy is one of Beltrami's finest scores).

Elfman does better doing sequels to movies he's already scored, because he knows the overall sound of his themes better. A lot of people prefer Elfman's Batman Returns to Batman, but I think Elfman hit it out of the park with Spider-Man 2 (despite the post-production grief Raimi gave him with the temping issue).

Young's score for Spider-Man 3 is a lot of fun though.

I can see that. I liked the Music Young put in Spider-Man 2 though (The Train sequence and the fusion scene)

[mclay18]

I can see that. I liked the Music Young put in Spider-Man 2 though (The Train sequence and the fusion scene)

Mm-hm. Thing is, Young had to follow the temp track Raimi liked for those scenes for the rescored scenes in Spider-Man 2 -- and that was one of Young's own compositions for Hellraiser and Hellraiser II. (And there was a waltz in the soundtrack for Hellraiser that became the "inspiration" for the Sandman creation scene in SM-3.)

"Second Sight" from Hellraiser II was the cue tracked in the fusion scene (you can listen to it on Young's official site -- the opening choral moment is the dead giveaway), and Young followed that temp track almost exactly during the recording sessions. He had to rewrite it a bit to avoid legal wrangling.

[venomvsspidey]

UPDATE : SPIDER-MAN 3'S SCORE HAS A POSSIBILITY OF AN ACTUAL RELEASE!! i asked him on his official fb page. read on!
from john murphy's official facebook page :

For anyone living in Burbank, there's a LaLa Land Records signing event, this Sunday at 2pm at the comic book store Dark Delicacies. Mark Isham, Michael Giacchino, Christopher Young and a load of other composers (including yours truly) will be there signing CDs etc. Apparently LaLa are pre-releasing the new, extended 28 Weeks Later Soundtrack CD for the event. Just letting y'all know... John.

Zack Garnett hey john,cant wait for the new 28 weeks later score!!
but i have two quick questions

one : i know this is kind of an old composition of yours, but is there any plans to get 2005's "The Man" Score composed by you being released? it's sad that i cannot find it

and two : i unfortunately do not live in burbank, so i cannot attend the la-la land event, which stinks cause i cannot meet my favorite composers like you and many others :_( . but if you see mr. chris young in his spare time, another great composer much like you, can you ask if his score of spiderman 3 will ever get released? thanks!

John Murphy - Film Composer at 3:09am May 31
Zack, I doubt very much "The Man" will ever come out on a soundtrack CD. The film bombed and New Line have been eaten by Warners anyway. I'll see Chris Young tomorrow at the signing and I'll ask him about Spiderman 3. Chris is actually the nicest composer I ever met. A real gentleman. Unlike some of our lot unfortunately.

Zack Garnett so what was mr. young's answer? yes, no, maybe?
John Murphy - Film Composer at 4:50pm June 1
Zack - it was a "Maybe".


this is great news, as i am willing to throw out every bootleg of it for a legitimate copy.