The Dark Knight Should Nolan hire Danny Elfman this time?

[Two-Face]

If Nolan was carry on with old franchise then yeah I would've said "yeah get Elfman" but since this is restart of the new franchise I say "stick with Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard"

HZ & JNH for TDK soundtrack dammit!

 

[Threshold]

They should obviously try to get back the JNH/Zimmer team for the sequel and just stress that they need a darker atmosphere for the film as well as a few memorable themes that aren't just hypnotic drum/thunder beats.

If they can't get back the JNH/Zimmer team or find that they want a different approach to the score/music of the film... Well, here are a few people I wouldn't mind seeing get a chance to put together a score for The Dark Knight:

-David Julyan (Did great work on Nolan's first three released films Following, Memento, and Insomnia and also reteamed with Nolan on 'The Prestige'. He'd be a great fit for the movie if it does, infact, take a darker and more desperate shift in tone.)

-Howard Shore

-Craig Armstrong

-James Newton Howard (I think that if he were to score the film alone, Howard would be an excellent choice as well. His team up with Zimmer did produce a good score, but I have the feeling that if he were pushed to go it alone... We'd find a Batman movie with a darker score and a few new thematic pieces.)

-Patrick Doyle (It'd be stupid and cliche to say that since Nolan and Doyle are both brits, they should know each other and be in the same realm of working, so I won't say that anymore than I have. However, Doyle did haunting dramatic work on Warner's epic fourth installment of the Harry Potter franchise 'The Goblet of Fire'. His style isn't vastly dissimilar from the style that Zimmer and Howard effected in the first film, so there wouldn't be a major shift in tone musically for the sequel. He's also just damn good and deserves to do another epic flick... besides the impending flop that is Eragon.)

-Harry Gregson-Williams

-John Williams (Might be a bit past his prime, but still puts out damn fine work and wouldn't another DC superhero theme by John Williams be a thought you wouldn't want to surrender? I didn't think so. Check out 'Catch Me If You Can' and a few of the recent Star Wars films to see evidence that he's not only still got it... but still has the uncanny ability to put together delightfully memorable music for film.. and judging from those Star Wars prequels and War of the Worlds, he can also go dark too.)

-Nathan Johnson (If you haven't heard of this guy, don't fret, he's still on the way up. He composed the wonderfully bleak and haunting score for the recent indie flick 'Brick' by Rian Johnson, and it turned out to be one of the most enchanting examples of film scores that I've witnessed in quite some time. He'd be a great, if unproven, addition to Nolan's crew on the Batman films.)

That's it. They're probably get Zimmer/JNH back, get one of them seperatley, or just use Nolan's main man Julyan (which if you've read the whole post, you know I don't mind a bit)... But it's nice to list a few favorites of your own.

 

[Mr. Superhero]

NOTE: I don't wanna read any, "Danny Elfman's music wouldn't fit Nolan's "realistic" world vision. Thats a load of crap and you know it. Elfman has composed plenty of films taking place in the real world. Plus, he composed the Men in Black movies which take place in a modern (and pretty realistic) New York City. So, lets stop with that.

My post:

I don't know if Zimmer/Newton Howard have been signed yet. But, if they don't return should Nolan bring Danny Elfman on board? Now with The Joker as the villain I think Elfman's music would be brilliant. Cause regardless of how serious Nolan's Joker is, the character will always be a guy with a clown face laughing all the time and making jokes. So, there's always gonna be some tongue & cheek music following the character around. Even Shirley Walker understood this when working on the cartoons and animated films. Go back and watch the cartoons. The music for the villains were serious and even emotional at times. The Joker was the one who had that circus-type and silly theme. And, it fit the character perfectly. So, if Shirley Walker has already proven that its what fits the character then I don't know why Elfman can't step in and compose a new version of his Joker Waltz. While at the same time providing Batman with the heroic theme he deserves.

**** Elfman, Hans Zimmer and the gang...

 

[Zilleraut #66]

Nope let those old movies go and do everything the right way. While I did like the Elfman score, I just really want to put those Burton movies in the past.

 

[7Hells]

-Nathan Johnson (If you haven't heard of this guy, don't fret, he's still on the way up. He composed the wonderfully bleak and haunting score for the recent indie flick 'Brick' by Rian Johnson, and it turned out to be one of the most enchanting examples of film scores that I've witnessed in quite some time. He'd be a great, if unproven, addition to Nolan's crew on the Batman films.)

That was a very cool movie. Well done genre remake all around. Right down to the jive talk and footsteps beating the pavement. That movie was a great way to bring such a golden age genre back to life for the younger audiences.
Must have been Luhrman inspired

I can definately see a style of score similiar to that of "Brick" working well with Zimmerman and Howards work. Especially if added only to Jokers scenes. The contrast would be noticeable enough to set apart Jokers scenes and still have the same feel as the rest of the movie.

 

[7Hells]

Off topic:

Threshold do you really think Eragon will be horrid?
I mean, I know it is a rip off as a series but I think the younger audience will find it appealing enough in between Harry Potter movies

 

[Cinemaman]

I just hope Eragon will flop, if it is so bad movie that Fox doesn't want to release even teaser-trailer

 

[ReptileOrion]

Bring back James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer. I'm sure they update the score to the tone of the movie. As long as they keep Molossus (Batman theme) I'm happy.

I love Elfman's score....I actually listened to a bit of it on the way to work this morning.....but it needs to be put to rest. I think it is best not to have any direct ties like that for the new trilogy.

 

[xwolverine2]

Should Nolan hire Danny Elfman this time?

NO

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Nah, Elfman's score wouldn't really fit Batman Begins 2/The Dark Knight.

 

[dharmadaughter]

I like the music just fine so no need to bring in new ones unless the BB composers want out.

 

[casketmouth]

NOTE: I don't wanna read any, "Danny Elfman's music wouldn't fit Nolan's "realistic" world vision. Thats a load of crap and you know it. Elfman has composed plenty of films taking place in the real world. Plus, he composed the Men in Black movies which take place in a modern (and pretty realistic) New York City. So, lets stop with that.

My post:

I don't know if Zimmer/Newton Howard have been signed yet. But, if they don't return should Nolan bring Danny Elfman on board? Now with The Joker as the villain I think Elfman's music would be brilliant. Cause regardless of how serious Nolan's Joker is, the character will always be a guy with a clown face laughing all the time and making jokes. So, there's always gonna be some tongue & cheek music following the character around. Even Shirley Walker understood this when working on the cartoons and animated films. Go back and watch the cartoons. The music for the villains were serious and even emotional at times. The Joker was the one who had that circus-type and silly theme. And, it fit the character perfectly. So, if Shirley Walker has already proven that its what fits the character then I don't know why Elfman can't step in and compose a new version of his Joker Waltz. While at the same time providing Batman with the heroic theme he deserves.

This time I just want Zimmer to fully consantrate on this Title alone and make a record breaking effort!!!!

 

[Batty Belfry]

Elfman's style is completely different from Zimmer/Newton. Z/N fit more with the psychological drama of Nolan's style IMO. I don't think it's so much a "score" as it's main intent is to reinforce the emotional aspects of the movie. I think it's more vibe than straight-forward music if you can understand my pov.

 

[Lando81]

BB's Score was Perfect!

 

[Thespiralgoeson]

I'm really not a fan of the Zimmer score. I mean it wasn't bad or anything, but I just think it was forgettable. It really doesn't stand well on its own the way Elfman's score did.

Personally, I wish to god they could get Philip Glass to do the score for TDK, but I know it'll never happen.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Wouldn't it be a mistake to bring this series closer with the last one, after they went through the trouble of distancing them?

I mean, this could open the floodgates to "let's bring back Chris O'Donnell".

Not saying it'll cause it,....but.....it'd be a start....

 

[BatZiLLa54]

Remember the Batman music that was in the Animated Series? Was in the opening credits when it had the "Adventures of Batman and Robin" opening. Tie that in somewhere.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I dunno....just seems like something they'd rather leave up to THEY'RE composers, ya know. The BTAS music screams Elfman to me. It wasn't him, but it was easily inspired by him.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I prefer the score for BB more than any other Batman score to date, including Elfmans, so keep the BB score please Mr Nolan

 

[patrickbateman]

I like the new theme better

 

[Maxwell Smart]

Elfman's theme was too over-the-top...

And the main theme in BB was very memorable, and I don't know why people say the movie doesn't have one because it definitely does. Its the music that plays during the car chase, when Batman glides down to confront R'as..I'd say that is the main theme, and when I listen to it on the soundtrack it very much makes me think "Batman".

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Elfman's theme was too over-the-top...

And the main theme in BB was very memorable, and I don't know why people say the movie doesn't have one because it definitely does. Its the music that plays during the car chase, when Batman glides down to confront R'as..I'd say that is the main theme, and when I listen to it on the soundtrack it very much makes me think "Batman".

Exactly the same here, there is definately a theme in the movie, and i prefer it to Elfmans any day.

 

[Steelsheen]

I dunno....just seems like something they'd rather leave up to THEY'RE composers, ya know. The BTAS music screams Elfman to me. It wasn't him, but it was easily inspired by him.

yeah i think that was what Shirley Walker was trying to achieve.

 

[Steelsheen]

I'm really not a fan of the Zimmer score. I mean it wasn't bad or anything, but I just think it was forgettable. It really doesn't stand well on its own the way Elfman's score did.

exactly how i feel.

to me the Elfman Batman score has transcended the boundaries of being a "Burton movie theme" to being one of the defining aspects of the entire Batman franchise. its right along up there with the Batsymbol-- both plain and yellow oval versions, the cowl, the Batsignal, the utility belt. you dont see those and take them apart saying 'this or that is from this age or from this artist', you see them as parts of a whole. i understand if the creative artists doesnt want to use the music because they opt for another alternative, but to say that they shouldnt use Elfman's score because it will associate it with the Burton franchise is ludicrous. its like saying the yellow oval should never be used in this franchise in whichever shape and form because it will bring back memories of Adam West's Batman. sheesh.

 

[Two-Face]

If you use Elfman's theme in TDK people will think it's a prequel or sequel to Batman Burton movies. So no we got creative composers who are good as Elfman.