28 replies to this topic

[DominicGreene]

I have heard a lot of Danny Elfman soundtracks and I've been wondering maybe if he could replace David Arnold for Bond 23? Maybe, Maybe not tell your opinion.

Here are some great examples,







He has done the Spiderman theme, Terminator soundtrack, Wanted soundtrack, Beatlejuice theme, etc so maybe he could create the next Bond theme? Maybe?

P.S - If this same question has been posted before, I don't really want to go searching many forum files just because this has been posted before.

[Captain Tightpants]

Well, consdering that Arnold is pretty much expected to return - and possibly even confirmed; I can't be sure - I'd say no. No Elfman.

[tdalton]

I would prefer someone other than Elfman, and would even prefer that Arnold return. I thought his score for QUANTUM OF SOLACE was easily his strongest, so if he could continue to improve upon that, then I'd be happy with his return.

If Arnold weren't to return, I'd like to see them go with someone who could deliver a completely different sound to the whole thing. I loved the risk that they took with GOLDENEYE's score, and wouldn't mind seeing a similar risk taken with a future film score.

[Bondian]

Elfman would be great, but Randy Edelman for me would be the better choice. Loved his score for 'Six Days Seven Nights'. Lots of interesting cross rhythms and original percussion etc. He's always enthusiastic to explore new and interesting sounds.

[Vauxhall]

If Arnold weren't to return, I'd like to see them go with someone who could deliver a completely different sound to the whole thing. I loved the risk that they took with GOLDENEYE's score, and wouldn't mind seeing a similar risk taken with a future film score.

I also have a soft spot for GOLDENEYE's score. The electro vibe agrees with my musical tastes. I'm extremely keen for Craig Armstrong to take over and show what he could do.

[tdalton]

If Arnold weren't to return, I'd like to see them go with someone who could deliver a completely different sound to the whole thing. I loved the risk that they took with GOLDENEYE's score, and wouldn't mind seeing a similar risk taken with a future film score.

I also have a soft spot for GOLDENEYE's score. The electro vibe agrees with my musical tastes. I'm extremely keen for Craig Armstrong to take over and show what he could do.

I love the score as well, although that type of music isn't something that I'd ever find myself listening to outside of the context of a film score. For some reason, for better or worse, that score really fits the film. I'd love a similar approach (and I, for one, would actually welcome Eric Serra back to the franchise with open arms), or even one that was completely different from Serra's as long as it was equally as daring and risk-taking as the GOLDENEYE score.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

While I do like Elfman and his scores, I have to say that I think Arnold will come back for Bond 23. His score for Quantum of Solace was JUST AMAZING! Why wouldn't he come back???

[Harmsway]

Elfman's no longer the composer he once was. Not that I ever thought he was right for Bond, to begin with.

[Qwerty]

While I'm a huge Elfman fan (his work for Batman Returns is amazing), I'd like to see (and expect) Arnold to be back for Bond 23.

[mister-white]

Well, David Arnold is expected to be back, but they could surprise us. But it'll probably come down to the director. Sure, EON's gonna have their people they want, but some director's might be picky and want someone else. Hey, they let Forster fire Peter Lamont for whatever reason from QoS. So, anything can happen.

As for your suggestion of Danny Elfman, he might be too much of a "big name" to take the job, maybe in the early Brosnan years he had a better chance than he does now, although he'd be great. His is a name on a very short list of composer that NEED to do a Bond, if Arnold might be a man and at least take a one film break to let someone new in.

[The*SPY*]

I'm a huge fan of Elfman's and think his music is like BArry and Williams...easily recognizable by the unique traits of each composer. However I think Elfman is excellent for darkness, morbidity and zaniness.

Arnold is great at giving the nod to Barry, and it is great that he has stayed with the series for a number of projects

If I had to choose a follow up composer to Arnold, it may well be Michael Giachino, who did the "Bond Barry" flavored soundtrack to the Incredibles, as well as Lost and most recently Star Trek.

Edited by The*SPY*, 02 June 2009 - 03:05 AM.

[MattofSteel]

Bring on the DA. And keep it on. At least until Bond 30.

[The Dove]

Personally I'd rather see Danny Elfman reform Oingo Boingo and go on tour!! But I do think he's a great composer..his style I don't think would work for Bond. But he's done great stuff in the past..i.e. Batman, Batman Returns, The Simpsons, practically every Tim Burton movie every made.

[OmarB]

Elfman lost it years ago. I think he decline started around Spider Man 2.

[double o ego]

Elfman's no longer the composer he once was. Not that I ever thought he was right for Bond, to begin with.

QFT.

[Zorin Industries]

Great composer but not for Bond....unless the film allowed it...

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

While I do like Elfman and his scores, I have to say that I think Arnold will come back for Bond 23. His score for Quantum of Solace was JUST AMAZING! Why wouldn't he come back???

You took the words right out of my mouth!

[tdalton]

Elfman's no longer the composer he once was. Not that I ever thought he was right for Bond, to begin with.

Completely agreed.

[DamnCoffee]

I'm not to keen on the idea of Elfman. He's too famous. I really couldn't imagine a 'Music by Danny Elfman' card on the Bond 23 Theatrical Poster. It would just look... "wrong", if you know what I mean.

BUT, I do think it's time for a new composer. As much as I love Arnold's work, I feel that his scores for Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace, are good, but not quite epic enough.


I was sitting downstairs last night, and I had a brilliant idea to make a Casino Royale/Quantum of Solace double bill trailer, with Arnold Music. I was quite exicted about it, but then when It came to chosing music.... there wasn't any suitable tracks. Arnold just doesn't seem to be epic enough for Bond. In fact, the only 'epic' track he's came up with is 'Whiteout' on the Die Another Day score. Don't get me wrong here, I LOVE Arnolds work, but I think it's time for new blood.

If he does return for Bond 23, I want to see more of the Bond theme. Something I missed in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

[MicroGlobeOne]

I've not been impressed with Elfman's film scores in recent years, although I have been a fan of his work stretching back to the days of Oingo Boingo. To be perfectly honest, I'm very much looking forward to David Arnold's work on the next installment and I'd rather see him continue as our composer.

[MajorB]

I'm a huge fan of Elfman's and think his music is like BArry and Williams...easily recognizable by the unique traits of each composer. However I think Elfman is excellent for darkness, morbidity and zaniness.

Completely agree. He's done some great stuff, but even at his peak I don't think he'd be right for Bond. Whether a composer is well known or not doesn't strike me as particularly relevant--it's whether he can bring something that would work for Bond.

I'm with many others who like Arnold. His action cues can be generic sometimes, especially in the first few listens, but I find they grow on me. And I think his QOS score has some fantastic stuff, especially in the first half.

[trs007]

Elfman--no, his Terminator Salvation score was not at all inspring for an action score. He's best when working with Tim Burton.

Experimentation---nope--stick with formula, and right now, Arnold is it; and doing a great job.

[DouglasJ]

I don't know. I don't think Elfman has done anything particularly memorable since he created the Batman and Simpsons themes about twenty years ago. And everything since has been kind of... samey. I think if there's going to be a new composer, it needs to be someone who can deliver a new, original, memorable sound that still manages to be somewhat retro. Tall order, but there's a lot of talent out there.

[Harmsway]

I think if there's going to be a new composer, it needs to be someone who can deliver a new, original, memorable sound that still manages to be somewhat retro. Tall order, but there's a lot of talent out there.

Agreed.

[Quantumofsolace007]

I loved him for Batman and batman returns but post that no thanks


Oh and Same with John Williams great job on jaws and star wars but no for him doing bond

[DamnCoffee]

I went to see Terminator Salvation today, it was a great film.... didn't care for the score though.

All I ever heard throughout was the Terminator Theme, which got pretty annoying. I have to say though that the 'Terminator Drum Beats' used for 'Arnie's' appearance gave me chills. The rest of the score was mediocre at best.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I'd take anybody over Arnold now. His score for QoS was decent, but generic. Even Barry had breaks from the films, give Arnold one too and he might come back with a vengeance.

I wonder how much they'd have to pay him to convince Barry to do one final Bond movie.

[Joe Bond]

I agree with pretty much everyone else that it looks Arnold will be back but I don't think that this is a bad thing if he delivers another stellar score like QoS but if there was a new composer I would like to see David Holmes who did some original compositions in the Ocean's movies.

[RedKelly]

I think whether you like it or not Bond now has a new sound thanks to Arnold so he will stay but if I were to have a switch I would like Hans Zimmer!