If you’re a fan of film and specifically the music that lies within, you’ve probably heard of the name Hans Zimmer. A renowned figure in the world of film and music, the German composer and producer has crafted scores for films including Interstellar, Man of Steel, The Dark Knight trilogy, Kung Fu Panda, No Time to Die, 12 Years a Slave, The Lion King, Dune: Part One and many more. What makes Zimmer such an exhilarating composer is his ability to create worlds within film. One of his latest was the score for Dune: Part Two. So in detailing the sonic marvel, the composer caught up with Wallpaper* to offer a glimpse into how it came to be.
Of course, the beginning of Zimmer’s work in the film franchise began with 2021’s Dune: Part One, where the composer won an Oscar for his work. But even beyond that, Zimmer details that Frank Herbert’s seminal novel was a favorite of his growing up, so his ability to make magic with the current film franchise could be described as fate. “So it starts off with creating that sonic world that I want the tunes or the motifs to live in,” Zimmer told Wallpaper*. “And that sonic world very often bleeds over into Richard King, the sound designer’s world.”
Zimmer recognizes that building entirely new sonic worlds entails a great deal of respect for every aspect of musicianship alongside invention. His work for the score transcends just utilizing instruments and technology that already exist, but being able to craft entirely new sounds from the mundane – whether it be scraping metal (like he did for Dune: Part One) or distorting the orchestral sounds around him. But what also impresses about Zimmer’s process is how the composer looks to every aspect of the film to build, whether it be costume design or a color palette.
If you haven’t already, check out Dune: Part Two, which is in theaters now.
