John Williams Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Some of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers are speaking out.

Jon Burlingame editorSome of Hollywood’s most high-profile filmmakers, including director James Cameron, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Lili Fini Zanuck and composer John Williams have joined the growing chorus of voices asking the Academy to reverse course and present all 23 Oscars on the live March 27 telecast.In a letter obtained by Variety and sent today to Academy President David Rubin, more than six dozen film professionals including multiple Academy Award winners, contend that the plan to present eight awards during the pre-telecast hour will “demean” these crafts and “relegate [them] to the status of second-class citizens.”The eight are original score, film editing, production design, makeup and hairstyling, sound, documentary short, live-action short and animated short. The Academy continues to insist that the nominees in those categories will be announced, and the winner’s acceptance speech aired, in edited form and aired as part of the three-hour ABC show.

Deadline he “feels very strongly” about the decision, explaining he believes filmmaking is a collaborative art and “we should all have a seat at the supper table”.“I disagree with the decision made by the executive committee,” the filmmaker said.  “I feel very strongly that this is perhaps the most collaborative medium in the world. All of us make movies together, we become a family where one craft is just as indispensable as the next.“I feel that at the Academy Awards there is no above the line, there is no below the line.

One of this year’s Best Director nominees is speaking out against the Academy’s decision to pre-tape eight of the award categories before the live Oscars show this month.

David and Victoria Beckham are having serious issues with their Holland Park mansion, after a report found it in need of “urgent structural repairs”. The problem now is planning permission, with the megastars struggling to get council approval to fix the Grade II listed nightmare.David, 46, and Victoria, 47, bought the four-storey townhouse on “Millionaire’s Row” – where the likes of Elton John and Robbie Williams also own homes – back in 2013 for a cool £31.5m.

Jordan Moreau Sony keeps expanding its universe of Marvel characters. The upcoming film “Kraven the Hunter,” starring Aaron Taylor Johnson as the classic Spider-Man villain, has added Fred Hechinger (“The White Lotus,” “Pam & Tommy”) to its cast, Variety has confirmed.It’s currently unknown who Hechinger will play, but Deadline reports that he will portray Chameleon, an evil master of disguise who also happens to be Kraven’s half-brother.J.C.

EXCLUSIVE: Fred Hechinger has joined Sony Pictures’ Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson in titular role. Although it’s unconfirmed, sources say Hechinger would play Chameleon, the brother of Kraven, in the movie.

When you think of the classic movie themes, you can’t help but think of John Williams. He’s a legendary film composer who has worked on a number of iconic scores and themes for films.

Star Wars composer John Williams has returned to write a theme for upcoming Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.According to Variety, Williams has written the musical signature for the series and recorded it last week with a Los Angeles orchestra under tight security.This is the first time Williams has composed a theme for the franchise since Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker in 2019. He’s composed the score for every mainline film in the franchise, but this marks a rare occasion where he’s writing music for television.It’s unclear if Williams has contributed any additional music beyond the theme for Obi-Wan Kenobi.Obi-Wan Kenobi, a limited Original series, starts streaming May 25 on @DisneyPlus.

Jon Burlingame editorMore than two years after completing his ninth “Star Wars” movie, composer John Williams is returning to the Jedi fold with a theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Variety has learned.Williams has written the musical signature for the continuing adventures of the character played by Ewan McGregor, airing on Disney Plus beginning May 25. He recorded last week with a Los Angeles orchestra under tight security, sources say.It is a coup for both Lucasfilm and Disney, considering the five-time Oscar winner rarely composes for television.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe full lineup of exclusive titles for April’s Record Store Day has been announced, with the expected title from official RSD 2022 ambassador Taylor Swift. Her first-time release of a “The Lakes” single leads the way for hundreds of releases that range from a deluxe “Blue Velvet” soundtrack reissue and two John Williams 90th-birthday releases to rarities collections from Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed and David Bowie… and from unreleased jazz concerts by Charles Mingus and Bill Evans to vinyl reissues of albums by Prince, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Childish Gambino, Stevie Nicks, the Cure, Kacey Musgraves and Pearl Jam.This year’s RSD will be on April 23 — the weekend after Easter, and Tax Day, to lighten the load on religious or business conflicts.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe Hollywood Bowl’s 2022 summer season will include a three-night stand by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees Duran Duran, a fireworks-laden 4th of July engagement by the comedy/bluegrass team of Steve Martin and Martin Short, a Loggins & Messina reunion, a fully staged production of Cyndi Lauper’s Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” and a salute to Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee that will feature Billie Eilish and Debbie Harry, among others.Artists with shows on the summer agenda include Ricky Martin, Pentatonix, Sheryl Crow, Diana Ross, CHVRCHES, John Fogerty, A-ha, Grace Jones, John Fogerty, UB40, A.R. Rahman, Lang Lang, Pink Martini, the Gipsy Kings, Boyz II Men and TLC.As always, the LA Philharmonic may be the biggest star on the lineup, with 34 shows scheduled, 10 of which will be under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel.

Jon Burlingame editorThere will be a lot of music in Sunday’s Super Bowl LVI telecast, and no, we’re not talking about the halftime show — rather, the music at the start of the show and throughout the game itself.John Williams’ “Sunday Night Football” march is expected to open the broadcast. “That’s our theme,” says Super Bowl executive producer Fred Gaudelli.

“Jaws” will never, ever forget composer John Williams’ famous musical score. The iconic theme from director Steven Spielberg’s shark flick is chilling and ominous, yet all too familiar. However, the 75-year-old filmmaker initially thought Williams — who turned 90 on Tuesday, Feb.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorJerusalem-based sales agent Go2Films has taken both worldwide rights (excluding North America) and Israeli distribution rights to “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen” by Oscar-nominated director Daniel Raim and narrated by Jeff Goldblum. Kino Lorber and Zeitgeist Films will handle North American distribution on the film, which follows the making of Norman Jewison’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”The film was meant to have its international premiere in the Official Selection of Palm Springs Film Festival, which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Jon Burlingame editorJohn Williams turns 90 years old on Feb. 8.

Chris Willman Music WriterKenneth Wannberg, composer and Emmy-winning music editor who worked on nearly half of all John Williams’ films dating back to the late 1960s, died Jan. 27 at his home in Florence, Oregon.

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Feb. 6-12:Feb. 6: Actor Mamie Van Doren is 91.

Rachel Zegler had the ultimate New Jersey experience.

As far as superhero film themes go, there are a few that stand out above the rest. You have John Williams’ theme from “Superman.” Then there’s Danny Elfman’s “Batman” theme.

EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has the first exclusive track from Brian Tyler and Breton Vivian’s score for Redeeming Love, which is set for release tomorrow via Milan Records, as the Universal Pictures title hits theaters.

Jeremy Bobb (Russian Doll, The Knick), Xander Berkeley (The Walking Dead, Air Force One), Rachel Keller (Legion, Fargo) and Oscar nominee Paul Raci (Sound of Metal) will join Nicolas Cage and Fred Hechinger in Butcher’s Crossing, the Western directed by Gabe Polsky, which has just wrapped production.

EXCLUSIVE: Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus, Pam & Tommy) has landed a lead role opposite Nicolas Cage in Gabe Polsky’s Western, Butcher’s Crossing, adapted from John Williams’ 1960 novel of the same name.

Nicolas Cage has been set to star in Butcher’s Crossing, an adventure adapted from John Williams’ seminal 1960 novel about the rugged frontier of the American West. Gabe Polsky (Red Army, Red Penguins) is set to direct. Altitude Film Group, which is producing and financing, has landed UK and Irish distribution rights and also will handle selling international at the Cannes Virtual Market that kicked off today. Shooting is set to begin in October in the U.S.

Manori Ravindran International EditorNicolas Cage is lined up to play a buffalo hunter in an adaptation of John Williams’ novel “Butcher’s Crossing,” directed by “Red Army” helmer Gabe Polsky.The film, which is being shopped to buyers at this week’s Cannes virtual market by sales agent and financier Altitude, is set in the 1870s and finds the “Mandy” star playing Kansas buffalo hunter Miller, who takes on a young Harvard dropout seeking his destiny out West.

When you talk about the best film composers working today, you always hear about those legendary folks like John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Yes, they are two people that will undoubtedly go on the Mt.

Thomas Kretschmann. Plot details are still being kept under wraps, and it’s unclear what roles the new additions will play in the fifth Indy film.

German actor Thomas Kretschmann, best known to audiences for playing Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” has joined the cast of “Indiana Jones 5” in an undisclosed role, TheWrap has exclusively learned.Harrison Ford is set to return to the role of the legendary swashbuckling archaeologist in “Indiana Jones'” fifth installment.

Following the news that Phoebe Waller-Bridge had landed the female lead in the next "Indiana Jones" movie, Lucasfilm has found Harrison Ford’s next co-star in Mads Mikkelsen, who is set to join the next installment. James Mangold is taking over directing reins from Steven Spielberg, who still is serving as a producer and is very much involved in various elements of the film.

Mads Mikkelsen is the latest actor to join the upcoming “Indiana Jones” movie. His casting news comes a week after “Fleabag” phenom Phoebe Waller-Bridge was announced as the female lead opposite Harrison Ford in the fifth instalment of the franchise.

EXCLUSIVE: Following the news Phoebe Waller-Bridge had landed the female lead in the next Indiana Jones movie, Lucasfilm has found Harrison Ford’s next co-star as Mads Mikkelsen is set to join the next installment. James Mangold is taking over directing reins from Steven Spielberg, who still is serving as a producer and is very much involved in various elements of the film.

Indiana Jones franchise to write the score for its next instalment.The 89-year-old, who composed the music for all four previous Indiana Jones movies, has slowed down his output in recent years, but made a return for Star Wars films, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise Of Skywalker.The announcement that he would be making a return to the franchise came alongside news that Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been cast in the upcoming sequel.The Fleabag writer and star will be joining the film

Though it seemed at one point like “Indiana Jones 5” was going to be a priority project for Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford a couple of years ago, the film ultimately has had a rough go trying to come together. Eventually, writers were changed, Spielberg handed the reins to filmmaker James Mangold, and everything now seems like it’s on track.

“Fleabag” phenom Phoebe Waller-Bridge is reportedly set to star opposite Harrison Ford in the next instalment of the “Indiana Jones” franchise.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge will star alongside Harrison Ford, who is returning to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist, for the fifth installment of “Indiana Jone,” Lucasfilm announced on Friday.Legendary composer John Williams is also set to return.More to come…-

Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park, had a total nine entries in the latest Classic FM ‘Hall of Fame’ poll, from a total of 300 entries.Williams’ nine entities in the poll were Close Encounters of the Third Kind at 273, Saving Private Ryan at 242, Jaws at 239, E.T.