Earlier this week, film composer Danny Elfman sat down with the good folks over at Billboard to announce that John Williams classic Superman fan fare will make a return in the upcoming Justice League, which airs in November. The prospect of the iconic theme from 1979 to accompany Henry Cavill’s hitherto lifeless rendition of Superman while performing some heroic deed or merely soaring through the vistas is almost too good to be true. As it turns out, Elfman intends to utilize the familiarity of the score as a dark compliment to a tense scene in the film..one where it is unclear where Kal-El’s allegiances lie. We won’t be getting the theme outright, but a twisted (and subtle) homage to it.
Elfman is giddy at the concept of playing the previously established motifs, dispelling the notion that reboots mean one has to “completely start from scratch. That’s bullshit!” Part of the joy of returning to DC, for him, is getting a chance to tinker with the same thematic material. Elfman feels the rich “heritage” of the heroes that make the DC cinematic universe shouldn't be ignored, but embraced and experimented with.
As far as the new pieces are concerned, Elfman has opted for a minimalist approach for the individual characters. He’s composed little recurring motifs for Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash, but left the dense melodies for Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. He likened the overall composition to genes, a dedication to making sure the little components serve to avail the greater whole.
Even before Danny Elfman stepped into the fray, DC has always had the edge over the MCU when it came to music. While I don’t buy the hyperbolic condemnation of Marvel’s character themes (Guardians, The Avengers, and Homecoming all have exceptional ones), even their best can’t compete against DC’s soundtracks by renowned composers Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, including The Red Capes Are Coming, Is She With You and, of course, What Are You Gonna Do When You’re Not Saving The World?
Despite my preference for recently ousted Justice League composer, Junkie Xl, the introduction of Danny Elfman into the DC cinematic universe is a good omen. It’s a sign the filmmakers are not only aware of the criticisms beset against them, but they are making a conscious effort to address it.
Danny Elfman, who previously worked with Director Joss Whedon on Avengers: Age Of Ultron, will not only be bringing his signature bombastic style to the upcoming team up film but he will be reviving some old classics as well. Elfman is clearly bringing a lot of fresh ideas and, more importantly, enthusiasm to a franchise that has spent the better of this year and last in creative limbo.
Justice League hits theatres on November 17th, 2017
