Will Danny Elfman Use John Williams’ “Superman” Score in “Justice League”?

When Joss Whedon stepped in to take over from Zack Snyder on “Justice League” (with Snyder stepping down due to a family tragedy), one of the first things he did was assign Danny Elfman to score the film, replacing Junkie XL in that position.

In an interview with Billboard Danny Elfman talks about embracing certain themes for the iconic characters of DC Comics.

“There are a few little fan moments. I instated a moment of the Wonder Woman theme that Hans Zimmer did for Batman v Superman, but I also had two minutes where I had the pleasure of saying, ‘Let’s do John Williams’ Superman.’ and that for me was heaven, because now I have a melody to twist, and I’m using it in an actually very dark way, in a dark moment. It’s the kind of thing that some fans will notice. Some won’t. It’s a moment where we’re really not sure whose side he’s on.”

Whether or not Whedon and the film’s producers needed convincing or not is unclear, but Elfman understood the reasons behind this idea…

“The people at DC are starting to understand we’ve got these iconic bits from our past and that’s part of us, that’s part of our heritage – we shouldn’t run away from that. Contemporary thinking is, every time they reboot something, you have to start completely from scratch – which, of course, audiences will tell us again and again, is bullshit. Because the single-most surviving and loved theme in the world is Star Wars, which they had the good sense to not dump for the reboots. And every time it comes back, the audience goes crazy.”

You can read the complete interview at Billboard.com.

What do you think of Elfman’s comments? How will you feel about hearing the familiar Superman theme at some point during the “Justice League” movie?

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sundevil82
sundevil82
September 28, 2017 6:27 pm

Wait… so that quote is a spoiler right??? Does that mean that Superman MAY be evil at first?? Ugh, I hope I’m not reading to much into that as I’m tired of evil superman. For as bad as Superman 3 was, the evil superman part of the film was done so well by Christopher Reeve. That was the best part of the film and I never need to see a ‘bad’ superman ever again because it will never top that. As far as the theme goes I hope it’s only alluded to. As much as I adore the Williams theme,… Read more »

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 28, 2017 6:40 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

yeah … the main take away from this piece is indeed the spoiler….
“It’s a moment where we’re really not sure whose side he’s on”

but I guess they need to link the storyline with the dream sequence from BvS somehow …

bhof
bhof
September 28, 2017 8:29 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

I really enjoy the MoS theme. I’d be disappointed if it’s gone, especially if this movie is supposed to wrap up the Superman arc from MoS and BvS.

Steve Eden
Steve Eden
September 29, 2017 8:02 pm
Reply to  bhof

Unless I missed the news or plans have changed, there is one more Justice League movie next.

redcape
redcape
October 1, 2017 1:25 pm
Reply to  Steve Eden

Nope……JL2 is a no go unless, JL is a major hit in the cash register.

Superman555
Superman555
September 30, 2017 12:44 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

I would love to hear the theme from”The Adventures of Superman”,as Kal-El comes to the rescue.

Reaganfan
Reaganfan
September 28, 2017 6:28 pm

As much as I like the original Superman theme music, I think they should’ve use Man of steel theme. It wasn’t that bad,
The Dark Knight had it’s own theme instead of Danny Elfman’s 1989 Batman theme and it was a hit in it’s own way.
I’m not against his idea, I can’t wait to see how this will play out when Superman make a comeback in Justice Leauge. 🙂

sundevil82
sundevil82
September 28, 2017 6:49 pm

PS: the Star Wars theme works still because the films are still part of the same continuity.

spidey2878
spidey2878
September 28, 2017 7:51 pm

An evil Superman? Again? Haven’t we had enough of evil superman in the injustice story line? Now they might actually have a movie where there is an evil superman? I guess I’m not surprised since they hinted that in Batman v Superman, but please, no. A evil Superman is a horrible idea. And the John Williams theme might be used for a evil version of Superman? Again please , no. That’s a horrible idea. The Williams theme should not be used to scare people for an evil Superman. The Superman John Williams theme should be used for a good and… Read more »

Kal L
Kal L
September 28, 2017 8:02 pm

One could also argue that the James Bond theme is also very recognizable, maybe more so than Star Wars. But I agree with what Elfman is saying.

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 28, 2017 8:09 pm
Reply to  Kal L

well … he talked about starwars reboots … there were none …

superhero
superhero
September 28, 2017 8:35 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

lol, true

Steve Eden
Steve Eden
September 29, 2017 1:22 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

Technically true, but a sequel after this much time is still a reboot of the franchise. Superman Returns was supposed to be another chapter of the Donner films, but was a reboot of the franchise… until MOS came along as a TRUE reboot in every sense.

Steve Eden
Steve Eden
September 29, 2017 1:17 pm
Reply to  Kal L

Wow, Kal L, that was almost exactly what I was going to write. Now, I don’t have to. And let me add this; I am tired of the pounding drums stuff as in Man Of Steel. I prefer music that one can hum the melody. All I can remember about the MOS theme is “Boom-ba-boombity-boomity-boom-boom”. No comparison to the Williams theme whatsoever. Elfman is an old pro and will do the movie theme(ahem)justice.

Kal L
Kal L
September 29, 2017 7:05 pm
Reply to  Steve Eden

Steve I have never really been a big fan of Hans Zimmer’s score’s. And sadly my favorite composer this side of John Williams has now passed away, James Horner.
I’m excited to hear what Elfman will bring to the table.

Kal L
Kal L
September 28, 2017 8:05 pm

Excited to hear the score now.

bhof
bhof
September 28, 2017 8:26 pm

My guess is that the film is going to tease an evil Superman. The audience and all the characters will worry only for Supes to be the hero the world needs. At least I hope that’s the case. I definitely agree with previous comments: I don’t want evil Supes.

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 28, 2017 10:03 pm
Reply to  bhof

I would imagine when Superman returns … he will be going full on and not holding back … that will make people fear him …
It will probably be a psychological effect of him dying and coming back, He’ll have to ease back into holding back, like he has done all of his life … If it was something like this … It wouldn’t be completely absurd … but that could mean Superman would do some things very uncharacteristic of him …

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 29, 2017 1:46 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

Also … Another Speculation …

not really a spoiler because I know nothing
looking back to the trailer when we see what might be Supergirl? could it be that Superman will try to protect her?

Kal L
Kal L
September 29, 2017 7:06 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

Sorry bro, Supergirl is not in this! What you are referring to is a hologram Bruce looks at of Superman.

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 29, 2017 7:43 pm
Reply to  Kal L
Kal L
Kal L
September 29, 2017 10:27 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

No they’re not tattoo’s but the pattern on Superman’s suit. The main reason that everyone thinks it’s Supergirl is because from that angle the legs look really slender, and the red/orange tint to the curved verticle lines of the hologram, give it a flesh tone feel.

Sorry bro, it’s not Supergirl… It is however a key scene for Bruce and Clark’s relationship!

SuperVaso
SuperVaso
September 29, 2017 2:23 pm
Reply to  SuperVaso

yet another speculation

Cyborg superman! he’s Superman but not really! and so people think it’s him but he starts fighting the good guys… could work…

supermilt
supermilt
September 28, 2017 10:25 pm

No this is a different universe and a different superman. Use Hans Zimmers man of steel theme for superman.

macca38
macca38
September 29, 2017 3:48 am

Music is critical to presentation of film I feel, look back over the yrs. ET, Jaws, Titanic, Dances With Wolves, James Bond, Star Wars & Superman. I’ve seen MOS & Batman v Superman & scores weren’t (my opinion) up to much. Does any Superman fan remember walking out of theatre humming, whistling or having notes of music in there head for MOS etc? Not that I’m constantly walking out of theatres whistlin etc but you get my drift. MOS ďidn’t have touch the class of Williams Superman march, it wasn’t memorable, it wouldn’t be used to symbolise Superman. John Williams… Read more »

manofsteel
manofsteel
September 29, 2017 6:28 am

I hope it’s just a musical cameo. It wouldn’t make sense to replace the Zimmer theme completely. I like it a lot, too.

Hollywood
September 29, 2017 8:47 am

Meh, not that it’ll happen, but feel free to scrap Hans’ score completely for all I care. I know I’m in the minority, but I never understood why people insisted it was so EPIC!!!!1!1!!!11111!! It sounded like a room full of kids banging trashcan lids with sticks while a few violinists did the musical equivalent of an improv session.

KalWill
KalWill
September 29, 2017 12:00 pm

Well. Anyone worried or think that the MOS theme is non existent, go back to the last trailer, the MOS melody is worked in to the music. and its not from the last 2 films either.

Superman555
Superman555
September 30, 2017 12:42 pm

Oh,you won’t be sure which side he is on
. Oh give me a freaking break!

zendog
zendog
October 1, 2017 6:59 am

Always going to be divided opinion here on who wants what. It’s difficult to keep everyone happy. I appreciate MOS and this version of Superman is a different universe and I will still look forward to watching Justice League – even if I will always prefer Donner’s take on Superman. All the same, personally, I don’t see anything wrong with a ‘slight hint’ of an original theme – it keeps us ‘oldies’ very happy. I remember when Smallville introduced a couple of moments from the J Williams score in one or two episodes and it definitely got the nerves tingling.… Read more »