218 - The Music of Gladiator II, with Composer Harry Gregson-Williams

Renowned film composer Harry Gregson-Williams joins guest host Jon Burlingame to discuss his sweeping score for “Gladiator II,” the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 Academy Award®-winning classic. Having collaborated with Scott on seven films now, Gregson-Williams shares his approach to crafting a fresh sound for the world of Gladiator while also paying homage to Hans Zimmer’s iconic original score. From using ancient-inspired instruments and choirs, to experimenting with vocalists from around the globe, Gregson-Williams reveals how he wove together a richly textured score that enhances the film’s epic scale and emotional depth.
“The conversation I had with Ridley at first was that this is a fresh movie. It relates to the first movie, [but] let's not make our first port of call anything to do with the first score, thematically or otherwise, which was quite liberating. I knew we would circle back somehow, and lean on some of Hans's thematic material, just occasionally.”
—Harry Gregson-Williams, Composer, “Gladiator II”
Be sure to check out “Gladiator II,” now in theaters and Dolby Cinemas in Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®. (gladiator.movie)
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