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Danny Elfman: My 1989 Batman theme is the only Batman theme, and it's in 'Justice League'

By

Chris Begley

·

on Danny Elfman: My 1989 Batman theme is the only Batman theme, and it's in 'Justice League'

Spanish website Reporte Indigo caught up with Justice League composer Danny Elfman, who had some interesting comments about Batman's theme in the movie.

"No, you will not hear a new theme for Batman," Elfman said when asked about Justice League. "You'll hear Batman's theme for Batman."

The interviewer asked Elfman if he was referring to Hans Zimmer's score from the previous movie. "No," Eflman said confidently. "You'll hear Batman's theme. Batman has only had one theme," Eflman added before confirming that his classic 1989 Batman theme will be in Justice League. Check out Elfman's answer in his own words in the video below.

Zimmer definitely created a theme for Batman in the Dark Knight Trilogy, but I'll agree with Elfman that his Batman theme is the most iconic. What do you make of Elfman's comments about his Batman theme? Let me know below.

SOURCE: Reporte Indigo (via Anton Volkov)

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313 comments

  1. Edible Liquid Avatar
    Edible Liquid

    His theme may be the only theme but some of the other themes that apparently don't exist are better.
    Personally, I loved those from TAS and the arkham games, and honestly the 60's TV one is one of the most iconic batman themes.

  2. Fréaláf Hildeson Avatar
    Fréaláf Hildeson

    To be fair, he is right. I can't wait to hear the Batman theme in theater, but I hope that Elfman is back to his best for the rest of the soundtrack. Superhero movies deserve better scores than what has been produced in recent years.

  3. Fotbollsgurun Avatar
    Fotbollsgurun

    What a douche haha.

  4. Kane Avatar
    Kane

    Cool

    The '89 theme was very powerful

  5. near2131 Avatar
    near2131

    What was Batman's theme in BvS was it 'beautiful lie'?

  6. Spenddollarz Avatar
    Spenddollarz

    Fuck this guy , he looks like a weirdo pedophile and getting all butthurt , the animated Batman theme is THE BATMAN them foh Zimmer is a way better composer anyway

  7. Bran Avatar
    Bran

    Nostalgia, can't have enough nostalgia. Look at Star Wars. I want to return to my childhood. Screw you, I don't want to challenge my brain, it hurts.

  8. Robin Bankes Avatar
    Robin Bankes

    Well I hope you go to hell...jokes lol intelligent subjectivity makes this comment section awesome, cheers sir/ma'am

  9. Knightwing Avatar
    Knightwing

    Elfman is correct, but it could have been said a different way. Zimmers stuff was Ok for Batman but it just kept building up, no finish and NO melody. It's not a complete theme. His Batman Begins work was the closet it ever got to being a full theme, but that was thanks to James Newton Howard. Who is a brilliant theme Composer
    https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    Zimmer is a Legendary composer but not for Batman. After James moved on from the Nolan Batman films. Han's did TDK and TDKR solo. He rewrote the theme TWICE and then struggled to finish it. The Batman sounds Epic, but then once again just keeps Hyping things up and then nothing. That's not a theme. He said he was inspired by a Bat flapping it's wings. He's mentioned for Years he doesn't like scoring Batman. https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    He had problems again with BVS and teamed with another composer Junkie XL who made a Powerful Song of Batman beating up Superman. Still the problem persists! LOTS of Hype, Build up and Erie sounds then repeat..add a Choir...it has no Soul. It's music for an Angry killer Batman
    https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    Still the Zimmer theme falls flat when you compare what an Aged Batman can sound like. Even though his burden is heavy Batman Returns to continue his mission. Christopher Drake is amazing https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    NOW Elfman the Egomanic Gets Batman and always has. He's reimagined the Batman theme 2 other times for Batman Returns and with Shirley Walker in BTAS. Who was one of his conductors rest her soul...talented Lady. Shirley used the iconic 89 theme and added more Brass & Drums. But the theme is still very much Elfman's.

    Her score of Mask of the Phantasm was Her creation, probably the Best Batman soundtrack known to Man. But The theme is STILL 89 Underlined with BTAS to create something other Worldly..
    https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    When it came time to re-brand Batman the Animated Series as The Adventures of Batman & Robin. Shirley created a NEW theme which was AWESOME, but still kept some of the iconic 89 score mixed in. To this DAY no other theme fits Batman & Robin https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    Saw this post and decided to chime in. Ego aside I'm a revered Internet Bat expert & I like to teach People. Various composers for Batman video Games have used The Batman theme as inspiration for their epic work. If you listen very closely you can here subtle tributes in Arkham Asylum & City OST's. Using bits and pieces of what makes the Batman theme immortal.

    When you think Batman theme it's suppose to represent a Dark imposing terrifying figure. Zimmer's Bat theme is like a Punk Kid Blasting his Stereo at a Red Light, behind you thinking LOUDER is better. Keaton's theme is a Dark and Dangerous one that races after the Other Car, then blows it up... which fits Afleck's Batman. https://www.youtube.com/wat...

    - kW

    1. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
      Withnail & Dog Turds

      "Zimmers stuff was Ok for Batman but it just kept building up, no finish and NO melody".

      Funny because this is EXACTLY my criticism of his main theme for Superman.

      Zimmer did some greatly cinematic work in the 90s and 2000s, but ever since Dark Knight onwards he seems obsessed with trying new ways of composing and experimenting and I think it has meant that his output has less melody and crescendo that is perhaps befitting a comic book character, especially one like Batman, let alone Superman.

  10. Knight-Errant Avatar
    Knight-Errant

    If I recall correctly, Zimmer actually called it his Bruce Wayne theme.

    I liked Elfman’s theme for Batman in the Keaton movies. I think it should stay there. I didn’t like that the theme changed in Batman Forever, but I’ve grown to think that was better. Keep Elfman’s Batman theme exclusive to Keaton’s version. Same with Williams’ Superman theme for Reeve.

  11. Talia Avatar
    Talia

    Technically Zimmer's theme "A Beautiful Lie" was more about Batman's tragic origin, not Batman the character per se. I can't see them using that as a triumphant tune with Batman shooting about the streets in the Batmobile on the screen. It doesn't work as a hero core theme, but definitely a poignant memory theme. Then yes.

    1. Moumen Mustapha Avatar
      Moumen Mustapha

      Men Are Still Good is the Batman theme. But they used it only three times for short intervals. That's the mistake they made.

      1. Talia Avatar
        Talia

        Oh that is the Batman theme? It's more like background music, or like a mesh of several tunes, I definitely hear Lex Luthor and Clark's themes in there. I'm talking about a catchy tune attributed to just one character that movie going audiences can hum. I can't hum the Batman BvS tunes, and not even the Dark Knight tunes, can you?

        1. Ezee23 Avatar
          Ezee23

          You're completely right about the amalgamation. The track Men Are Still Good (The Batman Suite), if I'm not mistaken, is meant to include Superman's and Lex's theme.

          I think (this is my persona view though) Batman's theme starts properly at the 11:30 mark of that particular track on the BvS soundtrack. That is where you can hear the greatness of the tune for the longest uninterrupted time.

          1. Schuyler Finley Avatar
            Schuyler Finley

            It would explain why it's so long.

        2. Moumen Mustapha Avatar
          Moumen Mustapha

          The problem is that the opening 4 minutes are indeed Superman and Lex music..so many ppl were confused. Theme starts after exactly 4 mins and 4 seconds of the 14 mins track, all the way to the end. there is a rare 10 mins version of it that excludes the early 4 mins of other characters themes but it wasnt released in the official score for some reason and it's awesome.
          l wish l could upload the mp3 here somehow.

    2. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
      Withnail & Dog Turds

      That's Bruce's theme really. It's a better theme than the actual Batman theme, which is just a painful noise on the ears.

    3. John Johnson Avatar
      John Johnson

      I think they could’ve taken Batman’s music from BvS and sculpted it into something more heroic and triumphant. It would’ve given a good sound to the character’s growth between the two movies, and let Affleck have his own theme (which I believe he deserves, as well Cavill).

      1. Talia Avatar
        Talia

        Or perhaps a good idea would be to meld in A Beautiful Lie with Elfman's Batman theme to please all fans. I don't know if it's possible, but with what's been done with William's Superman theme, that's very possible. At the same time, I hope Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash gets as much soundtrack love as Supes and Bats lol.

  12. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
    Withnail & Dog Turds

    It's terribly arrogant. But he's right. There is no Batman theme, at least not on BvS. Junkie/Zimmer's Batfleck theme is not even recognisable as a superhero theme. It just sounds like someone took a mallet to a set of piano keys. Bats 89 all the way for me.

  13. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    Damn the News about this movie are getting Better and Better. Finnally they bring on consequent people with a passion for the lore and love for the caracteres we know and love.the move to bring back the old themes is a great way to connect with thw fans they lost. I feel like these movies are finally in the right hands.

  14. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
    Withnail & Dog Turds

    Suits me. Nostalgia or not I look forward to finally seeing a Superman that is a confident beacon of hope and not a self doubting bore.

  15. Kouglof Avatar
    Kouglof

    Elfman doesn't seems to be as talented he was at the time being. I heard his two JL movie themes on the internet, my opinion is that he's not composing with his heart anymore, he use his reputation and only do music for money.

    1. Indianamcclain Avatar
      Indianamcclain

      As a huge fan of Elfman's early work I agree. I want old Elfman back.

  16. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
    Withnail & Dog Turds

    Zimmer's Superman theme is no way better than the iconic John Williams theme. It builds and builds and builds and then just fizzles out. As Dick Donner once said, the WIlliams theme literally speaks "Superman". There is no comparison.

    Much better from Zimmer is his quiet, slow Clark Kent theme (see "This is Clark Kent" from the MoS OST) which has apparently been retained.

  17. Indianamcclain Avatar
    Indianamcclain

    To be honest it's a little ridiculous that these franchises have been rebooted so much, and they keep bringing back the same composers expecting them to make completely new music. Why not just use the same themes? What's the harm? And I agree with him his Batman theme is my favorite with Shirley Walker's theme right behind it.

    1. Withnail & Dog Turds Avatar
      Withnail & Dog Turds

      Yeah. When Zimmer threw out John Williams' Superman theme it really annoyed me. All it needed was an update, a rework maybe. It's so iconic. James Bond has been played by six different actors and and rebooted and yet the theme has been retained, with it being updated and reworked when needed. Can you imagine if they dumped that?

      If it ain't broke don't fix it I say.

  18. ShobiNaq Avatar
    ShobiNaq

    Nah, I like Zimmer's theme more.

  19. Jimmy Two Times Avatar
    Jimmy Two Times

    I'd say Batman has had plenty of themes. Hell, one can even argue that the old 60's Batman had its respective "theme." Elfman ultimately ended up creating something more in line of an anthem, imho. It transcended theme as soon as it could be mentally connected with most things Batman.

    Not entirely sure how well it will fit in JL, but only time will tell. Just because it's beloved doesn't necessarily mean that it can automatically work, either. I do ultimately love it, so I am hoping for the best result.

  20. Nick Chidlow Avatar
    Nick Chidlow

    Sorry but it's Zimmer for me.....goosebumps every time. I've no problem with Elfmans which was great too but it's Zimmer every time 😉

  21. Batking Avatar
    Batking

    Zimmer's TDKT theme was better than Elfman's by a long shot. But BVS theme was rubbish.

    The most iconic are the Walker and 66 themes imo.

  22. glaygon Avatar
    glaygon

    Elfman's theme's amazing. But the others exist as well. Zimmer's one is great. I really like the one from BvS too!!

  23. jrvc Avatar
    jrvc

    Ok I love Batman's theme and I acknowledge it as THE Batman's theme, but I'm not sure it fits this Batman or movie, and really liked what Zimmer's did for him (in both iterations)

    Let's see if it is only a homage like it seems to be with Superman's and not the main theme for this universe

    1. thefallen83 Avatar
      thefallen83

      Most probably he added to/changed some of it to make it more fitting. Can't wait to find out.

      Ron Swanson

  24. Seb Avatar
    Seb

    The comments here... This is what it looks like when people are exposed to a melody for a change.
    Batman's "theme" in BvS, was absolute garbage and it's nothing but a good thing that he's getting rid of it. I would've liked seeing a new theme, but his old theme is just so good that I don't mind.

    1. Indianamcclain Avatar
      Indianamcclain

      I don't even consider it a Batman theme.

      1. Seb Avatar
        Seb

        Fair enough, the point is I'm glad they are letting it go, however you want to call it.

  25. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Or money. Probably money.

  26. WeHaveNoLivez Avatar
    WeHaveNoLivez

    The only batman theme that gave me the chills was Shirley Walker’s Mask of the Phantasm.

    https://youtu.be/C-m0ehT3_mo

    Heck, even the Arkham theme song would work with Ben’s batman.

    https://youtu.be/SXKrsJZWqK0

    After listening to the 1989 theme song I was thinking hmmm maybe this could work. Maybe update it to fit this movie. But hmmmm maybe.

    https://youtu.be/lcCYhDu4_ZY

  27. thefallen83 Avatar
    thefallen83

    A little presumptuous, but his score is a classic.

    Ron Swanson

  28. Μάριος Στάμος Avatar
    Μάριος Στάμος

    lets hope that the rest of the JL soundtrack wont be forgettable and generic as the song that they released last week

  29. Cash Avatar
    Cash

    There was no heroism in Batman's theme from Batman v. Superman. It could just as easily have been used as the theme for a scary but somewhat sympathetic movie monster. That was fine, and it fit what Snyder was trying to do in that movie, but it makes sense that Batman would have a more heroic theme for Justice League. And Elfman's is the most heroic theme of all time, in my opinion.

    1. Indianamcclain Avatar
      Indianamcclain

      The score for the 89 Batman is one of my all time favorite scores. So many triumphant, and memorable tracks.

  30. Adam Gallacher Avatar
    Adam Gallacher

    I can only hope it's modernised. I just think WB ate wanting this to capitalise on the nostalgia factor. And I hope so much Zimmers superman theme stays in since its essentially the final arc for superman

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