In a recent episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, renowned composer Hans Zimmer shared some fascinating insights about his work and collaborations with director Christopher Nolan. Zimmer, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful movie composers in the history of cinema, discussed the vital role that music plays in film, transforming a good film into a great masterpiece.
The conversation kicked off with Jonathan Ross asking Zimmer about his first meeting with Rosie, to which Zimmer humorously replied that they had met about eight years ago. Zimmer went on to share a hilarious story about attending an event with Rosie, where he had to make an effort and dress up, leading to the unexpected purchase of a pair of later hos.
Moving on to the topic of film scores, Zimmer’s work was praised by both Jonathan Ross and Christopher Nolan. Ross admitted to being a fan of Zimmer’s music and revealed he has a substantial vinyl collection of his scores. Nolan also expressed his admiration for Zimmer’s work, stating that he has albums of film scores for movies he hasn’t even watched.
The conversation then turned to Zimmer’s work on The Lion King, a film that holds special significance for both him and Jonathan Ross. Ross mentioned that his son particularly loved the scar song from the film, while Zimmer revealed that he initially didn’t want to work on a movie about fuzzy animals and Broadway musicals. However, he decided to take on the project because of his young daughter and unexpectedly found deeper emotional connections within the film, reflecting on his own experience of losing his father at a young age. Zimmer shared that the score he composed for The Lion King became a requiem for his father, making it a personal and profound project.
The discussion then delved into Zimmer’s impressive filmography, listing some of the notable films he has composed scores for, including Gladiator, The Da Vinci Code, Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight. When asked about working on The Dark Knight, Zimmer revealed an intriguing collaboration with Christopher Nolan. Instead of composing based on the script, Nolan asked Zimmer to write a letter with a metaphorical story unrelated to the movie. Zimmer took inspiration from his personal experiences as a father and performed the piece for Nolan. Upon hearing it, Nolan realized that it captured the essence of the film, ultimately leading to their unique working relationship.
Jonathan Ross also mentioned Zimmer’s iconic work on Inception, which became widely recognized and used in film trailers. Zimmer explained the process behind creating the sound, involving brass players blowing their instruments into a piano, which added an incredible richness to the score.
The conversation took a lighthearted turn when discussing Zimmer’s live performances. He shared a humorous anecdote about picking on latecomers in the front rows during his concerts, much to the delight of the audience.
Towards the end of the show, a fun game was played to test the celebrity guests’ knowledge of Zimmer’s compositions. While Kelly and Rosie attempted to guess the songs, Chris successfully identified the Gladiator score. Rosie later buzzed in with the correct answer for the Pirates of the Caribbean theme, earning herself some prize money.
Overall, the interview provided a fascinating glimpse into the remarkable career of Hans Zimmer and his collaborations with Christopher Nolan. From his emotional connections to the movies he scores to his innovative approach to composition, Zimmer continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of film music.
