Zimmer Talks “Dune” Score Disqualification

Famed film composer Hans Zimmer has discussed the disqualification that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science (AMPAS) issued over his work on “Dune: Part Two” when assembling its list of score nominees for this year’s Oscars.

Late last year, an independent review indicated that Zimmer’s inclusion of thematic elements from 2021’s first “Dune” film violated the organization’s eligibility requirements.

Those requirements state that a score for an eligible film must comprise a minimum of 35% of the total music in the film. For sequels specifically, the score cannot use more than 20% of the pre-existing themes and music from prior installments.

The latter is what Zimmer’s score seemingly didn’t achieve, and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve slammed the decision earlier this year ahead of the ceremony. Now, speaking with Happy Sad Confused, Zimmer spoke about the decision and thinks it’s ultimately foolish more than anything:

“You know something? It’s not really a sore point. It’s just such a stupid point – how can it be a sore point? I got disqualified because I was using material from the first movie in the second movie, but it’s not a sequel. It is the completion, both movies are one arc. So was I supposed to go and take all the character themes away and write new character themes and develop them? It’s just a stupid rule. What I didn’t want to do is go and bitch about it.”

Zimmer was also asked about “Dune: Messiah” and confirmed the project is moving forward fast: “I talk to Denis every day. Yes, it’s happening sooner rather than later.” Asked if he was already working on the score, he gave a coy: “Mmm, maybe.”

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