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Danny Elfman persuaded 'Justice League' producers to hire string orchestra for emotional scene

By

Chris Begley

·

on Danny Elfman persuaded 'Justice League' producers to hire string orchestra for emotional scene

Justice League composer Danny Elfman was honored at this year's "Hollywood in Vienna" film music gala. Elfman was interviewed on stage by music journalist Melinda Newman, and he spoke a little bit about Justice League.

According to John Rokesmith, who was in the audience and shared his experience on Film Score Monthly, Elfman said that he recorded his score for Justice League last week in London. He explained that he wasn't happy with a piece he worked on for a particularly moving scene, so he persuaded the Justice League producers to hire a string orchestra to make it better.

Elfman replaced the original Justice League composer, Junkie XL, over the summer. It's unclear if any of Junkie XL's work will remain in the movie, though they're still using his "Come Together" collaboration with Gary Clark Jr. to promote the movie.

SOURCE: Film Score Monthly

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

75 comments

  1. Mrlncredible Avatar
    Mrlncredible

    Why weren't they hiring a string section to begin with?

    1. Mark Avatar
      Mark

      +1. For films like this they should be using a full orchestra. IIRC John Williams used the London Philharmonic for the Star Wars films.

    2. Whatsupdoc Avatar
      Whatsupdoc

      String sections and string orchestras are two different things.

      String sections are typically seen as part of a full orchestra (which they most definitely used). While string orchestras are seen as being independent. Could be the string orchestra was brought in because at some point he realized that he just didn't have what he needed. No big deal.

    3. Michael Avatar
      Michael

      Lol that was my exact question when I read the article. Wtf are they doing electronic music?

  2. RadioYeh Avatar
    RadioYeh

    Moving scene, huh...?
    https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    1. SΛŁIM Avatar
      SΛŁIM

      SUPERMAN: They are with you?

      BATMAN: Do not...

      WONDER WOMAN: ... We are with you (Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash and Cyborg).

      1. CECECEWC Avatar
        CECECEWC

        That's lame. Bad dialogue. Davis S. Goyer type of dialogue. (shudders)

      2. Swaggersaurus Avatar
        Swaggersaurus

        Superman: They are you with?
        Batman: Don't go there girlfriend!
        Wonder Woman: We are you with, lets go kick Thanos's ass Cyborg, Aquaman!

        1. AnonymousHero Avatar
          AnonymousHero

          Lol! What a mess! Good one!

    2. Kryptonian Knight Avatar
      Kryptonian Knight

      I just hope the moment captures Bats and Supes as one. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

      1. UltimateEdition Avatar
        UltimateEdition

        captain marvel is on a different site

    3. UltimateEdition Avatar
      UltimateEdition

      exactly my thoughts

  3. andrew Avatar
    andrew

    Maybe they'll kill Superman? Nah they wouldn't be stupid enough to do that this early!

    1. Human target Avatar
      Human target

      *smart

  4. Diego! Avatar
    Diego!

    Mmmmm it has to be for Superman's resurrection or maybe when he meets Lois for the first time after his resurrection.

    1. UltimateEdition Avatar
      UltimateEdition

      yummy comment?

  5. Jesse Hernandez Avatar
    Jesse Hernandez

    Hopefully his score doesn’t sound like that dreaded Age of Ultron score... I am still alittle surprised we haven’t seen enough promotion from this movie... Thor have been selling there tickets two weeks ago

    1. Josh Morgan Avatar
      Josh Morgan

      two weeks ago? Well that is likely because JL comes out two weeks after Thor. It will ramp up soon. The final trailer will probably drop next week at NYCC

    2. Whatsupdoc Avatar
      Whatsupdoc

      If they were worried about the quality of the film they would already have countless billboards and TV spots --- all kinds of marketing tricks in mags and online [ie] 'Suicide Squad' and 'BvS'. Just so they could cram as many people into the theatre as possible opening weekend.

      Notice there wasn't a panic to market 'WW' either. They spent smart.

  6. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
    I'm Batman Man 39

    It’s great that he actually talked them into getting a string orchestra to make it sound better, but why didn’t he just use a live orchestra in the first place, instead of computer samples? I hope the score isn’t all done digitally, as live orchestras sound much better.

    1. Josh Morgan Avatar
      Josh Morgan

      refer to Whatsupdoc's comment

      1. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
        I'm Batman Man 39

        I saw that. Also, a user called Maestroso commented and said he was at that event with Danny Elfman, and in that comment he included more details on what Danny said, including how he did actually use a full orchestra, and just went back to record more strings after the intial recording, so... I guess I was wrong. Thankfully, though. xD

  7. Patrolfyr Avatar
    Patrolfyr

    PLEASE COULD SOMEONE JUST LEAK HIS SCORE OF JUSTICE LEAGUE?
    OR ANYTHING REVOLVING JL...
    I just want to know😔

    1. Flower & Monster & Golden Calf Avatar
      Flower & Monster & Golden Calf

      Wait a month?

      1. Patrolfyr Avatar
        Patrolfyr

        NOOOOOOOOO
        CANT WAIT THAT LONG
        MUST HEAR THEME

  8. Martinezxyz Avatar
    Martinezxyz

    Man........his score better be epic.

    1. CECECEWC Avatar
      CECECEWC

      I've heard it. It blows ass chunks

      1. Vger64 Avatar
        Vger64

        Sooo.... where did you hear it?

      2. Derp da derp Avatar
        Derp da derp

        What are ass chunks?

        1. Josh Morgan Avatar
          Josh Morgan

          chunks of ass? der

  9. Captain DC Avatar
    Captain DC

    https://uploads.disquscdn.c... https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    1. Guy Incognito Avatar
      Guy Incognito

      My favorite superhero scene from anything.

    2. Canucks Fan Avatar
      Canucks Fan

      This and the picture below wreck me every single time i watch it

      https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    3. Kierkegaard Avatar
      Kierkegaard

      and mine. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    4. Schuyler Finley Avatar
      Schuyler Finley

      I hope Batfleck has a scene like that.

    5. ob1adobe Avatar
      ob1adobe

      It was soooooo good

  10. Seb Avatar
    Seb

    And this is why the decision to go with Elfman was clearly the right decision. Junkie would have never done the same. I'm so damn happy we got Elfman to score JL. Such a massive upgrade in comparison.

    1. Human target Avatar
      Human target

      maybe he would have. maybe he wouldn't have.

      1. Seb Avatar
        Seb

        If you know anything about him, you'd known he wouldn't have.

        1. Human target Avatar
          Human target

          I know enough. So thats why I say he might or he might not have.

          1. Seb Avatar
            Seb

            No he definitely wouldn't have. It's clearly not his style. In fact it's the opposite.

          2. Human target Avatar
            Human target

            you don't know that. he has many styles. like i said, he may or may not have used them.

    2. Adam Gallacher Avatar
      Adam Gallacher

      Can't share the same sentiment Seb. Elfman has done nothing to impress me ad of late. The Mad Max score is legendary and I loved the music in BvS. By comparison the wonder woman music was forgetable minus her main theme which is JXL and Zimmers

      1. Seb Avatar
        Seb

        Junkie is the least skilled composer working in Hollywood right now. That's not an opinion. That's a fact. Now, you may "like" or prefer his music, and that's fine. But when it comes to compositional skill and classical knowledge, it'd be an insult to even suggest a comparison between Junkie and Elfman is fair. If you come from a classical music background, you would understand that. Unfortunately, second rate composers, like Junkie, are the new generation of film composers. Ever since their ascension to the top, the quality and intricacy (the latter being objective) have declined immensely. Mad Max was a HOLLOW score, void of real meaning or original thought. Just relentless noises back by mindless percussion. It's not exactly thought-provoking, or even ballsy. It's the same old music Junkie has composed time and time and time again. "Brother in Arms" is passable, but the rest of that soundtrack is utter garbage and an insult to anyone who has the least bit respect left for traditional orchestral music. I'm sorry, I have no problem with what you like or don't like. That's purely your subjective taste, and it's none of my business. But what you're saying, is the equivalent of a McDonald's employee bragging about his JUNK food (pun intended) and telling how immensely superior it is to the best dishes that the world's best Restaurants have to offer. Again, I don't care if one prefers a Big Mac over a fine 5 star dish... but I at least expect said person to be honest enough and admit a 5 star dish took more skill to cook and was prepared by men better at their crafts. That's EXACTLY how you sound to anyone with even the basest of classical music knowledge. It's absurd.

        1. Adam Gallacher Avatar
          Adam Gallacher

          Wow dude. Junkie has been making music for decades and has been under the tutelage of Hans Zimmer since the Dark Knight Rises. Yes may not have the same experience as Elfman but he is definitely not some music hack as like to portray him. You are trying to come across as understanding that music is subjective but at the same time dumping on someone that disagrees with your taste. I just think it's a shame JXL got kicked off the project when 2 pieces of his music will still be a part of it. Say what you want man but JXL having no skill is not a fact it's just your opinion.

          1. Seb Avatar
            Seb

            "Decades"... yeah, in DJ terms. Not decades as a classical composer. Being a DJ is literally the very least impressive thing you could be in the musical world. It amounts to nothing whatsoever and anyone telling otherwise is lying. He has indeed worked with Zimmer, but that really doesn't matter when Zimmer himself is in fact not a traditional or learned composer himself.

            The thing about Zimmer is, he has raw talent (which he hasn't used for the last 7 years, unfortunately). So where he lacks in terms of pure skill, knowledge and classical experience, he makes up for in wit and originality. Or at least he used to... Zimmer clearly has a burnout and hasn't composed thematically satisfying music for nearly a decade now. In other words, it doesn't matter how much time Junkie has spent "learning" with Zimmer, when Zimmer is the last composer on Earth who's in a position to teach people in the first place. The guy has no classical background, which is extremely evident to anyone with an ear for such a thing. Zimmer excessively plagiarizes (his own music), he write solely in one key most of the time, he utilizes pop-music chord progressions, and he's not exactly capable of writing for woodwinds (or at least, he hasn't shown to). He re-uses the same music over and over again and lets dozens of ghostwriters do most of the work for him (look this up, it's damn near shameful). Take Dunkirk for example (probably one of his worst soundtracks of all time). "Supermarine" (track) is ONE note being repeated non-stop for 8 minutes with traditional Zimmer percussion behind it. Neither the rhythm, the volume, or the chord progressions change ONCE. Halfway through, there are rising/falling synths straight out of Mombasa. That's literally it.
            These are obvious traits - which you clearly care not about - of primitive composers. More advanced composers, like for example Elfman yes, are capable of so much more. That's not an opinion. It's a fact.

            Zimmer's music is a kind of rock/techno arranged for symphony orchestra by a team of collaborators, arrangers, and orchestrators. Zimmer is famous for having founded Media Ventures, later renamed Remote Control Productions, a firm specializing in film scores co-written by a pool of musicians, a sort of factory where Zimmer seems to act more as an executive producer and coordinator than as a composer. That's where Junkie comes from. He's no more than a tool in the factory. He's not exactly Zimmer's prodigy.

            His music can be recognized by simple motifs characterized by homophony (=requires LITTLE skill), basic chord progressions, no contrapuntal writing (more melodies than one) or use of inner voices, synthesizer pads as harmonic backing for the instruments, a pounding rhythmic section, and overwhelming low frequencies. Like techno music, all these elements have a strong and direct impact upon the listener. Whether or not YOU personally like that, is for you to decide... but you can't argue with these facts. Skill is objective. And Zimmer and especially Junkie rank amongst the least skilled Hollywood film composers of all time.

            Zimmer's music is very direct and has no virtuoso-writing pretensions that would require aural foregrounding, instead he uses relentless rhythms along with basic melodies with uncomplicated textures that act as a background to the sound effect's staring role.
            In other words, Zimmer's music is objectively speaking, very... very shallow.
            Again, that doesn't mean you can't like it, I'm just saying that's how it freaking is.

            It's like saying you're perfectly content with a normal steak with mashed potatoes. No one will berate you for it (I'm a simple guy myself, I like my food quick and easy, but healthy. I care not for fancy restaurants). But you have to realize said dish takes no skill to prepare. To assert this took "skill" or is "on the same level" as a 5 star Restaurant... that's just fucking ludicrous. Again, to someone with no particularly "high" taste for food (like me) none of that actually matters. In the same way, if you're content with harmonically primitive music, that's fine. That however, does NOT mean it's "on the same level" or "as good" as other composers and their music.

            People WIDELY exaggerate the significance of "subjectivity". It is a lazy cop-out argument at best.
            So when you say "Say what you want man but JXL having no skill is not a fact it's just your opinion", I just know for a fact you have absolutely no fucking idea about what it means to be a skilled composer, never mind musician.
            Call me a snob, pretentious, or condescending. Frankly, I don't give a shit. Because unlike the majority, I actually still care about traditional, classical composition. And to see it all go to shit by trash composers like Junkie? You can be damn sure it pisses me off... and when people actually defend that [the lowering of standards, that is], yeah, I have ZERO respect for that. Sorry.

  11. Rust Avatar
    Rust

    I would welcome hearing that, but I think the silence worked powerfully in a different way.

    It forced us to soak in the gravity of the moment, and it set up Clark's following display of devastation perfectly.

  12. IamTheOneWhoKnocks Avatar
    IamTheOneWhoKnocks

    Can't wait to hear the score for this movie!

  13. EpicNoobsFTW Avatar
    EpicNoobsFTW

    Really hope Superman's theme plays for his resurrection though.

    1. LOGOS Avatar
      LOGOS

      That would be amazing. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

  14. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    This makes it sound like it was an insane request to make and it would somehow be a miracle if they said yes.

    Example: Joss Whedon convinced Warner Bros to shoot a Green Lantern movie, with scenes filmed on the ACTUAL MOON!”

    1. Adam Gallacher Avatar
      Adam Gallacher

      I don't this is a story even worth reporting but of course it's a big blockbuster film so you got an interest in it. Loads of stories regarding Leto and his off screen antics on suicide squad but absolutely zero on blade runner 2049. Typical

  15. BROWN_KNIGHT 4 Trump Avatar
    BROWN_KNIGHT 4 Trump

    Has to do with MOS and his return..

  16. SΛŁIM Avatar
    SΛŁIM

    It has to sound a more epic theme than "Is She With You?" When the whole JL is assembled and ready to face Steppenwolf...
    https://image.ibb.co/gnx915...

  17. Jimmy Two Times Avatar
    Jimmy Two Times

    It was very Batman 89ish sounding. I'm hoping he can create a theme better suited to the fastest man alive this time around.

  18. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    String orchestra is great.

  19. OmegaCorleone Avatar
    OmegaCorleone

    While I think Junkie XL has got what it takes to compose a great soundtrack, I mean; Mad Max Fury Road. I fully trust Elfman with this. His Spider-Man score is still some of the very best superhero scores ever. It's so memorable, so well made, it's pretty perfect. I can't wait to hear what he's composed for Justice League!

  20. Maestroso Avatar
    Maestroso

    I was there today and also had a chat with Elfman. Of course they were using a whole orchestra. They just had to do another take of one cue - and for that they had booked another session on short notice. About the score: It's finished, 114 mins long; all I can say is that a few surprises are ahead of us.
    Btw - the Hollywood in Vienna Gala will take place on Friday, when Elfman will be given the Max Steiner Award. Yesterday and today were side events (FIMU Film Music Symposium Vienna - incl. a Masterclass).

    1. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
      I'm Batman Man 39

      http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photo...
      That makes more sense. The way it was implied made it seem like it was an orchestra just for this scene. Can I ask you, do you know if Danny kept the themes for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman that Hans and Junkie XL already established?

      1. Peartdahurt Avatar
        Peartdahurt

        I wouldn't mind them keeping WW's theme and I really hope they keep Supes' them, as that's one of my favorites of all tim, but I really really hope that they come up with something else entirely for Bats cuz his score in BvS was absolutely horrid imo.

        1. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
          I'm Batman Man 39

          I thought Batman’s theme in BvS fit really well to not just Ben Affleck’s Batman, but to Batman overall. However, I’d much rather prefer him to keep Superman and Wonder Woman’s theme and get rid of Batman’s, if it means Elfman would bring back his own iconic Batman theme. I would flip in the theater if that all of a sudden plays!

          1. Delta Wave Avatar
            Delta Wave

            Yea I thought it really fit him well too in BvS but JL Batfleck is a new (Bat)man and warrants a new theme song.

          2. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
            I'm Batman Man 39

            True. It’d be awesome if it is some sort of new variation on the Batman 89 theme by Elfman!

          3. Delta Wave Avatar
            Delta Wave

            Unlikely as it seems, I'm hoping for a Shirley Walker tribute somewhere down the line

      2. Maestroso Avatar
        Maestroso

        Can't tell for sure, but part of the discussion involved instrumentation and how he'd enjoy working with a guitar ensemble on a character like Wonder Woman as much as writing an electronic and orchestral score. I can tell you that there are three main themes for the whole band of JL (Hero 1, Hero 2, Dark) and that he seemed rather happy about the outcome (, which is a rare find in Elfman, btw - he is very humble/critical about his own work). And, let's say that I have a feeling that a variation of his 5-note Batman theme might appear in the score - but this is not based on an actual statement of his; it's just the impression I got when he described Batman as "I already had that one". So he must have had a clear idea how to approach the character (and he received the call to work on JL on very short notice; he just had packed and was about to leave for the airport). However, it's also possible that he meant Junkie XL's theme.
        Later on the discussion continued with compressing melodies to a five note motive; so - to me - it sounded like as if his original Batman theme might appear in the score - though, perhaps as a variation. But I could be totally wrong (and just a victim of my wishful thinking on that one). After all, there wasn't too much talk about JL - also not from my part - because I'm more interested in the process as well as in his other works. Also, he mentioned working on a character theme for the Flash, which he particulary enjoyed due to its nod to Bernard Herrmann's orchestration style (Vertigo, The Day the Earth Stood Still).

        1. I'm Batman Man 39 Avatar
          I'm Batman Man 39

          Awesome! From the sounds of it, I think he most likely will keep the Trinity’s themes, especially since he’s the one who brought back the Alan Silvestri Avengers theme in Age of Ultron. And I would freak out if there is indeed his classic Batman theme in there somewhere!

  21. AnonymousHero Avatar
    AnonymousHero

    For reasons like this, this is why Elfman is the perfect composer to step in and rework what is sure to be a powerhouse soundtrack for a film that we've waited decades for. Glorious move. Strings, string orchestra.... this is where epicness is at. I'm all about it. Even if this is just for the main Justice League score and not he's reworking the full film, I'll gladly take it. Dude is my #1 choice come to pass.

    Breathe life on this film Elfman. This is DC's most epic and finest hour to date.

  22. Jose Striedinger Avatar
    Jose Striedinger

    Hans Zimmer didn't have a full orchestra for MoS soundtrack and we now how beautiful that is. It really depends on the type of music Elfman was making.

    Less than 2 months away!

  23. The Almighty Avatar
    The Almighty

    Damn Geoff Johns. He loves his rock music. He might be behind this mess as well. Job well done Mr. Elfman!

  24. Kanogul Avatar
    Kanogul

    I just hope Elfman sticks to the motifs created by Hans and Junkie. As much as I love his Batman '89 score, he needs to respect what has come before. For instance, the first movement of "Their War Here" gives me chills every time. I'd hate for them to abandon this.

    https://youtu.be/77DOTx6y1os

  25. BROWN_KNIGHT 4 Trump Avatar
    BROWN_KNIGHT 4 Trump

    Im going with Batmans death or Mos return...hype is building but keeping it in check... https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

  26. ob1adobe Avatar
    ob1adobe

    They just did the score last week? On a movie like this?

    I'm calling it. This movie will be in the 50%-63% on Rottentomatoes

  27. UltimateEdition Avatar
    UltimateEdition

    wasn’t happy about elfman at first but then I realized he did the score for nightmare before Christmas...

  28. Nahuel Benvenuto Avatar
    Nahuel Benvenuto

    Every new we get of this movie since Snyder get worse

  29. Rafti chowdhury Avatar
    Rafti chowdhury

    [LEAKED-FULL] Watch Justice League Online Movie 2017 HD
    http://ursmovie.com/movie/1...

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