Will John Williams Score Episode 8?

Happy to see so much positive thinking.

In interviews and the likes he seems to be very healthy for his age, and therefore I also think he'll continue for the time being.
The only thing worrying me, is the reports about his health last summer. He had to take a 6 weeks break from scoring EP7, if I recall correctly. Maybe he's afraid of such things happening, as it could lead to him not being able to finish the score, or having to finish it without feeling properly done with it.

But yes, I agree, the perfect scenario would be that he scored both VIII and IX, then his circle would indeed be complete.

 

I think since Williams received his pacemaker, he has been out and about more. He looks and sounds better than he has in years and TFA was a truly remarkable score. I think (and hope) that he'll be back for Episodes 8 and 9!

 

This. Nothing more i can add.

 

I think he will. Especially with Spielberg's Ready Player One out of the way (the release date changed from December 2017 to March 2018)

 

After watched the movie four times and downloaded de soundtrack now I am sure that TFA music is amazing like the ones before. So, hoping to see JW again for ep. viii.

 

Oh I am sure he will. He's John WIlliams. I love his work...I love all the soundtracks of SW and I can't wait to hear more for VIII and IX

 

I sure hope Williams scores it. His score for TFA was extremely complex. He's building off of themes in six other movies. In my opinion I'd take it over some of the bombastic nonsense in the the prequel tracks. The other thing about this scoring is that unlike Episode 6, 2 and 3, he was able to score the film as close to the final cut as possible. He didn't have the option in those films. So you get music works with the film rather than having to fit into the film.

 

Agreed.
The melodic and harmonic complexity in the TFA score is extreme, which is something I appreciate very much as a musician myself. When listening to the soundtrack by itself, I was just blown away by certain stuff. He handles motifs in a very different way than other composers.

 

I hope so, John Williams has to be the one who finish the Skywalker saga with high note as tradition.

I feel a little disappointed with the Force Awakens' score at first, but after listen to it again and again, I found that it suited the entire film's storytelling perfectly. A story about a girl who gradually self-realized and the myth of the magical power. It's different from any other Star Wars, and I like it.

 

Dear Mr. Williams, if you're reading this (he might be!) please record the Episode VIII soundtrack entirely at Abbey Road Studios in London with the London Symphony Orchestra.

 

At first I was skeptical that he would score anything beyond EP7, but now that we're done with The Force Awakens and looking towards EP8 already - it seems so close that I am almost confident he might return. To be honest, I find myself whistling "March of the Resistance" more than any other Star Wars theme right now and it would be grand if he continued to build on the foundations he placed in TFA.

 

I hope so, but he's getting older. Despite how much he enjoys his work, he may not want the added stress any longer.

 

Yep He Will he the best

 

The TFA soundtrack was interesting.

New, & refreshing.

Upon my first viewing of the film I was underwhelmed. I was disappointed.

I saw it again & again & came to the conclusion that it truly depends on the sound & speaker quality on how you experience the score & therefore the movie.

TFA has a softer, more intuitive score; but it is my opinion that it is of the quality that John Williams is known for.

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That being said, Mr. Williams is getting on in years. Whatever happens, happens. I have every hope that Episode 8 is the best Star Wars to date. Who doesn't want that?

 

That's precisely it... no one can do better than he can. Outside of Star Wars there are several films I can remember the score to (Interstellar/ other Nolan films, American Beauty, Harry Potter, & unfortunately Frozen).

Can anyone else think of films with memorable music?

 

Is there any facts or evidence indicating people involved with Ep 8 scoring yet? I know Rian's had family heavily involved with soundtracks to his earlier films but this franchise is a whole new game.

I agree. I got the impression his signature brass section took more of a backseat to strings and woodwind in TFA which could account for a softer overall tone. It's generally accepted that it is better in this medium to err on the side of underwhelming than overwhelming - even though this particular genre perhaps demands more presence in a score than others. Any criticism aimed at those involved in audio production of dominating the medium is about as embarrassing as it gets. Not being noticed too much by a general audience is generally a compliment for any soundy!!

It might work both ways. The fact that new character themes have already been established in the first of a trilogy, and that there is plenty to draw and expand on favors both JW returning (if health permits) or a fresh arranger taking over the reins. I too hope he remains on board with some solid understudies in the wings to assist or relieve him if required.

 

After listening through the TFA soundtrack again, I just want to have him confirmed for EP VIII already. His star wars scores just have that certain wibe to them... Wouldn't be the same without it. I'm sure other composers could do a great job, but it still wouldn't be the same.

 

Like many others, I wasn't entirely sold on the soundtrack on my first go-around; like many others, I found a much greater appreciation for it upon later listenings.

Do I want Williams to come back? Absolutely; Star Wars would not be what it is today without his music, and even at their low point (looking at you, ATOC), his soundtrack are leagues beyond what most composers are doing these days.

Will he come back? That's a little more complicated. Obviously, the biggest factors are his age and health. Reports that he has been very active recently give hope to him having the energy to make it through IX, but this is life and sometimes Sith happens. The good news is that, if he were replaced, he laid a lot of groundwork for the trilogy in his TFA score; I'm sure he also "worked ahead" to an extent, planning new extrapolations to themes and possibly writing new themes for later use. I think, as many have mentioned, that Desplat may be in-line to take over just in case, but I believe the "A" plan is for Mr. Williams to continue scoring the main episodes for as long as he is able (at least through IX, that is). As for why he hasn't been announced yet, I can think of two reasons. First is what we've already addressed, that while he may be working on it, they don't want to announce him too early for fear of something unfortunate happening. The second is far less sinister though, in that I believe they are withholding that kind of information until the PR campaign for VIII goes into full swing. right now, there's a lot of unofficial press about filming, but the official PR is focused on the upcoming Rogue One campaign; once that is out, or at least established as being separate from VIII in the minds of general audiences (I know quite a few IRL that still think VIII is due out this December), we'll start to get some juicy details, like if Williams is involved or not.