Hans Zimmer was asked about many topics including Star Wars and the MCU, and explains why he’s not interested at this time.

Hans Zimmer in a new wide ranging interview with Josh Horowitz was asked about Star Wars, the MCU, Dune, and other franchises, and says at this time he’s not really interested in either of those Disney IPs. With Star Wars, there is one exception — he gets to reinvent it.

“John Williams is so masterful, and he’s done that … it’s more orchestral … and that’s not why you hire me. “Ludwig [Göransson] is doing some really interesting things … but how many interesting things do you want to put on this thing before it falls apart and isn’t Star Wars anymore? … The only reason I’d do it is if I could reinvent it.”

Hans Zimmer was also asked about scoring an MCU film, and says he’s been in talks to do it several times but ultimately turned them down.

“They have, and it was always… timing wasn’t great. And really, quite honestly, I’m looking for other things right now. Look, I’ve done the trifecta — I’ve done Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman! I mean, what do you want me to do, some of the minor characters? That was very arrogant of me to say that, but actually, Kevin Feige said that to me: ‘Hans, what are you complaining about?’” 

Interviewer Josh Horowitz mentioned Zimmer not working with Christopher Nolan in recent years, and he explained that they’re still great friends, and he passed up some opportunities with him because of the Dune franchise.

“Occasionally you just need to refresh the human palette. Chris and I have done [so] much, we go back too far, the friendship is strong. It has to [be]. But so is my friendship with Denis.”

Gladiator 2 he passed on because he felt like it would fall short of his original score.

“[My friend] Harry Gregson-Williams, [who composed it], phoned me up and asked, ‘How would you feel about me doing Gladiator 2?’ … to be really honest, I felt like I was just setting myself up for bad criticism … even If I had written the best score in the world for [it], there would’ve been enough people who would’ve said ‘it’s not as good as the old one’ … but how can anyone judge music? It doesn’t work like this … but it works like how people remember things.”

The Oscars and Dune 2 were brought up, with Zimmer saying it’s ‘stupid’ he was disqualified.

“It’s not a sore point … it’s a stupid point … I got disqualified for using material from the first movie in the second movie, but its not a sequel. It’s one arc. What am I supposed to do, take all the character themes from the first one and make new ones? … But I i didn’t want to go and bitch about it.”

Hans Zimmer’s next major project is F1, the upcoming Formula 1 racing film starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, and he has already begun working on Dune Messiah. The legendary composer recently commented on the highly anticipated sequel, stating he talks to Denis Villeneuve about it ‘every day’ and “I know where we’re going, and I know we’re not done.”

For more updates on that film and others make sure to check out our film section.