I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for John Williams. The Golden Compass soundtrack wasn’t one of my favourite ones, and only God knows how much I don’t want another Twilight name to be associated with Harry Potter – or viceversa. Plus, having Williams score Deathly Hallows (especially Part II) would bring a better sense of closure to the series, somehow.

Well, that trashes the DH movies IMO. HBP had 8 notes, not bars but notes of the wonderful music John Williams wrote for the Harry Potter Movies. David Heyman had said they would like to get Williams back for the last movie (now two movies) and John Williams has said he would like to come back. Hooper’s parting comment on leaving before DH was that he was “…making way for the master to return”. The way to make a series of movies is to retain the same cast and crew thru out. Peter Jackson did it with the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. And it is marvelous!! Considering the budget for the DH movies ($500 million est.) one would think they could have fitted John Williams in.

not a fan of any of his work so far
its not terrible just not the hbp quality i was expecting

What an interesting rumour. I have heard some of his music (Golden Compass and New Moon) and this might be good. He might add something to give Deathly Hallows more depth and soul.

But I do like Nicholas Hooper’s music. Not sure about how I feel about John Williams, though. He was very hit and miss with me. Will wait and see.

What – rumoured for Death Hallows part 1? Are you saying that there might be two composers doing the score for “one” film???

Phoenix, Heyman said in July that it would be a “big If” if Williams could return. It depended on whether his schedule would work with Part 2’s schedule (this is again why I believe Part 1 and 2 will have the same composer). Maybe WIlliams just couldn’t do it because of prior commitments? Again, all of this is based on one off-handed comment made on a website. We’ll find out soon who the composer is.

never heard of him

Eeh.. Golden Compass? New Moon? Seriously?
crosses fingers It must be only a rumour!

Oh god. He did New Moon? This won’t turn out well… I really, really, REALLY want John Williams to come back. I don’t really think I want this guy to be writing the music for the most beautiful part in the entire series (that is, if they keep him for part 2) I really hope this is just a rumor. If not….

i just hope he keeps with the traditional music of harry potter and none of this “new age” crap…i’m 16 and love alternative/indy rock with a passion but i still enjoy listening to the score in the harry potter series and i don’t want this to become twilight

Ignoring New Moon and The Golden Compass, this rumour is very exciting. Anyone who’s listened to the score for the Curious Case of Benjamin Button would definitely agree he’s one of the best composers around. Is he fit for Harry Potter? I’m not so sure, but then again, I believe that under the right director, a good composer can do very well. Definitely not my first choice for an HP movie, but a truly remarkable composer nonetheless, and I’d be very intrigued if he were to join.

Despat’s score for Benjamin Button was fantastic, so I would be interested if he does join. I actually loved New Moon’s score, too, including Volturi Waltz. He could potentially do a very atmospheric score for Deathly Hallows.

People who are complaining just because he did New Moon, need to let go of their prejudice. If it’s because you heard his work and don’t like it fine. I’ll wait and see until it’s confirmed. Maybe John Williams couldn’t do it because he has a prior engagement.

rotfang07, to argue that making the score of Deathy Hallows is beyond the scope of John Williams is sheer madness! If you don’t like him as a composer, that is different. But John Williams is among the most accomplished composers in the history of movie music! He’s done NUMEROUS things that refute your statement. Schindler’s List (sad), E.T., every single Star Wars (fight scenes), Jurassic Park, the 96 Olympic theme, and Jaws—the single most recognized movie theme ever! If you want to say that the first 3 movies’ soundtracks were too happy, I strongly urge you to review the books…Harry is 11-13 years old and the books reflect that, as does the music. John Williams is MORE than capable of doing this score.

Personally, I’d like to see John Williams return, at least John Williams has proved his greatness. I really did not like the Order of the Phoenix score though and wasn’t thrilled about the Half-Blood Prince, so if we could avoid Nicholas Hooper, that’d be great. Bringing in this new person doesn’t sound too bad though…he’s gotten nominated for Oscars quite a bit in recently so he must have some measure of talent

Thank goodness. At least one part of DH won’t be crashing timpani-trombones-strings with a Hollywoodesque wooden ear and sensibility. Hooper was subtle, nuanced, sophisticated, and put his heart and soul into HP, Williams doesn’t share any of those traits. Desplat at his best is capable of almost matching Hooper, witness Girl With A Pearl Earring etc, whose cinematographer was also Eduardo Serra.

Hedwig’s Theme is the only soulful bit of music Wiliams contributed to the whole series, the rest was just LOUD, obvious, cliched and predictable, though sometimes complex, which just made it worse. Just how many hundreds of strings, timpani, and horns does any scene need anyway? And why do we need to be deafened by the score? Hooper’s leaving was a real blow. Williams return for DH2 will make it totally predictable. I can already hear the cacophony of the battle scenes penned by Williams, boring-follow-the-signs Speilberg-Hollywoodese. HBP is easily the best film of the series. Only Kloves’s script, which was better than all previous ones, was no match for the genius of Delbonnel, Yates, Hooper, Day, and Craig.

Thank goodness. At least one part of DH won’t be crashing timpani-trombones-strings with a Hollywoodesque wooden ear and sensibility. Hooper was subtle, nuanced, sophisticated, and put his heart and soul into HP, Williams doesn’t share any of those traits. Desplat at his best is capable of almost matching Hooper, witness Girl With A Pearl Earring etc, whose cinematographer was also Eduardo Serra.

Hedwig’s Theme is the only soulful bit of music Wiliams contributed to the whole series, the rest was just LOUD, obvious, cliched and predictable, though sometimes complex, which just made it worse. Just how many hundreds of strings, timpani, and horns does any scene need anyway? And why do we need to be deafened by the score? Hooper’s leaving was a real blow. Williams return for DH2 will make it totally predictable. I can already hear the cacophony of the battle scenes penned by Williams, boring-follow-the-signs Speilberg-Hollywoodese. HBP is easily the best film of the series. Only Kloves’s script, which was better than all previous ones, was no match for the genius of Delbonnel, Yates, Hooper, Day, and Craig.