Danny Elfman no longer howling ‘The Wolf Man’ soundtrack
Danny Elfman
There were rumblings deep in the Elfman fan community… And it looks like those rumblings are now mumblings — Danny Elfman has left The Wolf Man, apparently due to scheduling conflicts. But if you believe rumors, it’s due to problems with the film, which has been pushed back three times from its original release date to February 12th, 2010 (originally scheduled for November 12, 2008, first pushed back to February 13, 2009, then to April 3, 2009, and again to November 6, 2009).
Elfman has already written and recorded what, by all accounts was a traditional, grandly gothic effort a la Kilar’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Ultimately, it appears at this point that none of it will be used in the film.
Rather than have Elfman come back and make changes due to major picture rehauls (and likely with his hands full scoring Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, he is unavailable), Cinemusic has confirmed with agent Robert Messinger of First Artists Management that Paul Haslinger (Death Race 2000) will step in and record an entirely brand new score this January, 2010.
This composer casting choice seems to make sense when you consider the second trailer for The Wolf Man, which eschews atmospheric chills for rhythmic music propelling quick cuts of creature effects and CGI transformations. Haslinger is known for his driving electronic scores for Underworld,Crank, and as a part of ’80s synth rockers Tangerine Dream.
When Elfman was hired to score the film he told Variety:
“The lucky thing for me is that the original ‘Wolf Man’ did not have an extremely famous musical score. (So) at least I’m not going to have a mountain of people madly in love with the original,” the Grammy winner and three-time Oscar nominee says, laughing. “There’s a little bit of relief.”
Joe Johnston took time in 2008 (before Elfman was announced) to wax poetic about Elfman as his composer:
“If Danny Elfman does do it, I’m going to basically just let him run loose. I’m going to run the movie for him without music and without the temp track and say, “Do what you have never done before and see what comes out of it.” I think he’s fantastic. I can still listen to his score for Beetlejuice.”
Elfman fans have few hopes to ever hear this music, however one might be from Universal Music, who recently signed a worldwide publishing deal with the composer. Perhaps a “music inspired by” album?
I contacted Danny Elfman’s agent, Richard Kraft, for further details, but didn’t hear back in time for this story, adding to the constantly crushing reminder that I am a huge failure.
While you're at it:
- January 18, 2010: Howl and howl again, Elfman back in on “The Wolf Man”
- June 12, 2006: Elfman returns 'Nacho' combo
- June 13, 2008: Soundtrack Preview: Wanted
- February 1, 2010: IFMCA has no problem pronouncing “Giacchino”, continues to mop up
- July 31, 2008: Standard Operating Procedure
November 6, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
Very good sir. Your crushing failure is devastating to my low self-esteem’s high point.
Tweets that mention Danny Elfman no longer howling 'The Wolf Man' soundtrack | Cinemusic .net » Film Music & Soundtracks -- Topsy.com said,
November 6, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chris Tilton, Ryan Keaveney and Duncan K. Bohannon, Greg Brautigam. Greg Brautigam said: Bummer, though I'm not surprised. RT @RyanKeaveney: Danny Elfman no longer howling 'The Wolf Man' soundtrack – http://tinyurl.com/y9u3k8d [...]
uberVU - social comments said,
November 7, 2009 @ 5:18 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by RyanKeaveney: Danny Elfman no longer howling ‘The Wolf Man’ soundtrack – http://tinyurl.com/y9u3k8d...
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November 10, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
I know many a frustrated score followers and they are all sending me this link.
*le sigh*
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