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.
Related by tag or topic:
- June 12, 2006: Elfman returns 'Nacho' combo
- June 13, 2008: Soundtrack Preview: Wanted
- July 31, 2008: Standard Operating Procedure
- December 21, 2006: THR: 'Clef Notes' & Twyker's 'Perfume'
- September 21, 2006: Preview: Elfman's "Serenada"
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…
Business/Industrie - Elfman rejected - Soundtrack Board said,
November 7, 2009 @ 6:28 am
[...] [...]
Siguen los problemas en The Wolfman: Ahora sacaron a Danny Elfman | SALONDELMAL said,
November 9, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
[...] de los cambios en la fecha del estreno y la salida del director original. En esta ocasión, en Cinemusic dan cuenta que el conocido compositor Danny Elfman, responsable de clásicas colaboraciones con Tim [...]
The Movie Scoop - Composer Paul Haslinger Replacing Danny Elfman on Wolfman said,
November 9, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
[...] Cinemusic, which follows everything regarding film soundtracks and scores, nabbed a disappointing scoop that [...]
Danny Elfman Replaced as The Wolfman’s Composer | Ambience of Media said,
November 10, 2009 @ 2:56 am
[...] to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet BoxWord has come down through Cinemusic that Danny Elfman’s music won’t be what you’ll hear when you see The Wolfman next [...]
Danny Elfman off The Wolfman said,
November 10, 2009 @ 6:45 am
[...] Cinemusic] Does this news make you worry for the film? Or [...]
More Wolfman Problems | The Horror Geek - News, Rants and Reviews From The Horror Geek! said,
November 10, 2009 @ 8:23 am
[...] latest bit of news concerns the film’s score. Cinemusic is reporting that famed composer Danny Elfman has left the project (citing scheduling conflicts) [...]
Soundtracks: Elfman Replaced on WOLFMAN « Ghost Radio said,
November 10, 2009 @ 8:41 am
[...] Elfman Replaced on WOLFMAN According to Cinemusic, due to scheduling conflicts, Danny Elfman has left The Wolfman. Elfman has been replaced by [...]
Danny Elfman Out as ‘The Wolfman’ Grabs a New Composer | CloneMovie Latest movie news said,
November 10, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
[...] setback. Dread Central, by way of Cinemusic, is reporting that legendary film [...]
‘The Hobbit’ And ‘The A-Team’ Cameos In Today’s Dailies — 11/10/09 - Tune Town Source said,
November 10, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
[...] did the score for “Underworld” and the recent “Death Race” remake. (Cinemusic, via Dread [...]
November 10, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
I know many a frustrated score followers and they are all sending me this link.
*le sigh*
‘The Hobbit’ And ‘The A-Team’ Cameos In Today’s Dailies — 11/10/09 | Booth Bay Dinner Theatre & Movie said,
November 12, 2009 @ 5:52 am
[...] did the score for “Underworld” and the recent “Death Race” remake. (Cinemusic, via Dread [...]
A Fistful of News - 10 Extra Stories for Your Viewing Pleasure said,
December 3, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
[...] Composer Danny Elfman (The Nightmare Before Christmas) has left Joe Johnston’s upcoming film The Wolfman due to a scheduling conflict. He will be replaced by Paul Haslinger (Death Race 2000). [Cinemusic] [...]