Is David Arnold unemployable/blacklisted

2

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  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,217
    I'm fairly sure that Arnold's downhill creative relationship with Emmerich/Dean Devlin in the late 90s put a dent in his enthusiasm for big blockbuster film scoring. Beyond Bond (and one or two exceptions) he mainly took on small indie-style films or TV.

    I don't think he's blacklisted. I think he just picks and chooses. Having seen him a few times and met him briefly once, doesn't strike me as the kind of fellow who has too many worries about things like money. He just loves music.
  • I'm fairly sure that Arnold's downhill creative relationship with Emmerich/Dean Devlin in the late 90s put a dent in his enthusiasm for big blockbuster film scoring. Beyond Bond (and one or two exceptions) he mainly took on small indie-style films or TV.

    I don't think he's blacklisted. I think he just picks and chooses. Having seen him a few times and met him briefly once, doesn't strike me as the kind of fellow who has too many worries about things like money. He just loves music.

    That's been my impression as well: that Arnold simply chooses the projects he wants to work on. Projects with people with whom he's enjoyed collaborating and projects that allow him to stay near home. I'm sure he doesn't lobby for the Marvels or the DCs.
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.
  • Shardlake wrote: »
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.

    Meh, I think he understands along with everyone else that the "previous occupant" was nominated simply because he was Thomas Newman and not because he wrote a better James Bond score than On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It's not like Lorne Balfe or Marc Streitenfeld came in and suddenly garnered an Oscar nom for Bond. I do agree Arnold would return energized, but not because he'd think the Academy might possibly recognize one of his James Bond scores. He's a Barry, not a Hamlisch. ;)
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I get your point, but he's no Barry either.
  • edited April 2017 Posts: 6,844
    Not in the true sense—and Arnold would be the first to admit that—but in the sense that he does right by Bond and will never be Oscar-recognized despite one- or two-offs popping in here or there to confoundingly grab a bit of Academy attention.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I see what you're saying. I didn't have a problem with Hamlisch or Newman getting nominated, but if they were going to get the nod, then so should Barry, and many times. It's one of the big disgraces of the shambolic Academy, which is why I quite enjoyed their humiliation earlier this year.
  • Yes, it's more the complete snubbing of Barry from one priceless Bond score to the next that makes Spy and Skyfall such shocking exceptions.
  • Posts: 2,107
    I believe they ditched Arnold, not only because Mendes wanted Newman, but they also will try to get other big name composers from now on.

    I'd still welcome Arnold, but I'm not sure it will happen.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    As long as it's not Newman again, I'm happy. Would love for Arnold to return, but I'd be okay with new blood, too.
  • Posts: 4,619
    But why won't anyone else hire Arnold?
    There are about a hundred great, really talented composers working in the film industry today. Why hire an awful one?
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    But why won't anyone else hire Arnold?
    There are about a hundred great, really talented composers working in the film industry today. Why hire an awful one?

    Of the few Bond pictures I would consider bona fide classics all bar one are scored by Barry. The other is scored by Arnold. Music plays a huge part in determining the strength of a Bond, so while I understand he's not to everyone's taste, I certainly couldn't bring myself to call the composer of CR awful.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    But why won't anyone else hire Arnold?
    There are about a hundred great, really talented composers working in the film industry today. Why hire an awful one?

    Give some examples then. He's certainly not awful.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Arnold was pretty good, especially with the Craig films, but he was nowhere near the level of Barry.
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    Shardlake wrote: »
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.

    Meh, I think he understands along with everyone else that the "previous occupant" was nominated simply because he was Thomas Newman and not because he wrote a better James Bond score than On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It's not like Lorne Balfe or Marc Streitenfeld came in and suddenly garnered an Oscar nom for Bond. I do agree Arnold would return energized, but not because he'd think the Academy might possibly recognize one of his James Bond scores. He's a Barry, not a Hamlisch. ;)

    I'm not saying Newman deserved the nomination it was just Arnold having had the guy who took over from him having been the go to guy for so long end up getting nominated after his first score.

    I agree it's pretty disgraceful Hollywood darling Newman getting a nom when Barry wasn't even nominated for one of his Bond scores, to think not even OHMSS wasn't recognised is terrible.

    Though if Arnold did return he'd feel he needed to stamp his style back on the series, I think he should come back for Craig's swansong and truly give him the score we've been wanting for this era.

    The problem is now that no way is BB & MGW going to hire some journey man, they've had Mendes twice now, the next director isn't going to be another Martin Campbell we are looking at another big name director and there lies the problem.

    It's likely that they'll want to bring their own composer with them, especially like Mendes if they are associated with that director, lets just hope who gets the job wants the likes Andre Desplat or Michael Giacchino and not another audio wall paper provider like Thomas Newman.

    Though it's unlikely as he's just about finalising signing on for the World War Z sequel but a David Fincher Bond film would be a delicious prospect ( taking into account there no hiring American directors of course).

    Fincher would likely want Trent Reznor and his collaborator to do the score, to think what the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails would do with a Bond score is a fascinating thought.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I like Reznor. I even saw NIN live, but for Bond? Please, Newman is the superior choice.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    New Digs and Shanghai Drive from SF have a bit of a Trent flavour. I think he could give us something interesting and dynamic, but his sound would only be suitable for one film, just for variety's sake.
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    I like Reznor. I even saw NIN live, but for Bond? Please, Newman is the superior choice.

    It was only a thought and while I didn't mind his SF score, it was ok but nothing that memorable, his SP one was like copy and paste.

    It made me appreciate what Arnold bought to the series, whereas Newman might be great for some of the other things he's worked on and is highly thought of in the film world. I think his work on Bond shows that composers however talented not all are suitable for Bond it takes a certain type and from his scores for both SF & SP I don't think Newman is one of them.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I prefer Newman's work on SF to anything Arnold did for the Brozza era (including the vaunted TND). Only CR & QoS surpass it imho.
  • Shardlake wrote: »
    Shardlake wrote: »
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.

    Meh, I think he understands along with everyone else that the "previous occupant" was nominated simply because he was Thomas Newman and not because he wrote a better James Bond score than On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It's not like Lorne Balfe or Marc Streitenfeld came in and suddenly garnered an Oscar nom for Bond. I do agree Arnold would return energized, but not because he'd think the Academy might possibly recognize one of his James Bond scores. He's a Barry, not a Hamlisch. ;)

    Though if Arnold did return he'd feel he needed to stamp his style back on the series, I think he should come back for Craig's swansong and truly give him the score we've been wanting for this era.

    I agree, Arnold would come back big and bold and stronger than ever. He'd be perfect for Craig's swansong. And I do think missing out on Skyfall, which blew up huge, must not have been fun in the slightest. He'll be raring to go.
    Shardlake wrote: »
    Shardlake wrote: »
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.

    Meh, I think he understands along with everyone else that the "previous occupant" was nominated simply because he was Thomas Newman and not because he wrote a better James Bond score than On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It's not like Lorne Balfe or Marc Streitenfeld came in and suddenly garnered an Oscar nom for Bond. I do agree Arnold would return energized, but not because he'd think the Academy might possibly recognize one of his James Bond scores. He's a Barry, not a Hamlisch. ;)

    The problem is now that no way is BB & MGW going to hire some journey man, they've had Mendes twice now, the next director isn't going to be another Martin Campbell we are looking at another big name director and there lies the problem.

    It's likely that they'll want to bring their own composer with them, especially like Mendes if they are associated with that director, lets just hope who gets the job wants the likes Andre Desplat or Michael Giacchino and not another audio wall paper provider like Thomas Newman.

    That's a real possibility. It wouldn't hurt to hear some new blood—if they're up for the task. If they're not, then yeah, it'll hurt. It'll hurt bad.

    Not all directors are so specific about their composers though. If we see another Forster type at the helm—a promising young auteur, that is—they may go with the producers' choice. And if it's the producers' choice, it's David Arnold, guaranteed.
    Shardlake wrote: »
    Shardlake wrote: »
    I've never been his biggest fan but his scores for CR & QOS in particular have been his strongest.

    If he came back I think he'll feel he has something prove, especially with the previous occupant having been nominated for an Oscar for one of his scores.

    Yes there is others out there and maybe others should be given a chance but I think if he came back I'd be happy enough to see what he would deliver.

    I think he'd be ideal to round off the Craig era.

    Meh, I think he understands along with everyone else that the "previous occupant" was nominated simply because he was Thomas Newman and not because he wrote a better James Bond score than On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It's not like Lorne Balfe or Marc Streitenfeld came in and suddenly garnered an Oscar nom for Bond. I do agree Arnold would return energized, but not because he'd think the Academy might possibly recognize one of his James Bond scores. He's a Barry, not a Hamlisch. ;)

    Though it's unlikely as he's just about finalising signing on for the World War Z sequel but a David Fincher Bond film would be a delicious prospect ( taking into account there no hiring American directors of course).

    Fincher would likely want Trent Reznor and his collaborator to do the score, to think what the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails would do with a Bond score is a fascinating thought.

    David Fincher would be way cool for Bond. But as much as I like NIN, I can't see Reznor's Social Network style of film-scoring gelling with Bond. I'd be about as excited for Reznor as I would be for a third go-around from Newman.

    A Howard Shore or an Elliot Goldenthal however...
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Howard Shore would be perfect if they want to create a new sound for Bond. His work on the original LoTR franchise is brilliant.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    If only John Barry s ghost could possess someone, for a while at least...
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    I know I've said this before, but Ramin Djawadi, Henry Jackman, Michael Giacchino or Alexandre Desplat will quickly make people move on from Newman and Arnold - and those are just the obvious choices.
  • edited April 2017 Posts: 6,844
    bondjames wrote: »
    I know I've said this before, but Ramin Djawadi, Henry Jackman, Michael Giacchino or Alexandre Desplat will quickly make people move on from Newman and Arnold - and those are just the obvious choices.

    Giacchino impresses occasionally, but he's done sooo many franchises (M:I, Star Trek, Jurassic World, Apes, Marvel), I've really grown tired of his action writing.

    Not familiar enough with Jackman. First Class and Winter Soldier, right? Can't say his music really stood out to me in either film apart from FC's submarine lifting cue.

    Desplat would be original. Just compare his Godzilla to his Grand Budapest Hotel from the same year. I wouldn't say no to Desplat.

    Djawadi really impressed with his latest season of Game of Thrones, and I do dig his score for Pacific Rim. Not sure how he'd do on Bond though. I feel like I'd need to hear one or two more major action film scores from him.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    One thing is for sure. The memorable and original themes of yesteryear seems like a thing of the past, and that is because it is.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Giacchino impresses occasionally, but he's done sooo many franchises (M:I, Star Trek, Jurassic World, Apes, Marvel), I've really grown tired of his action writing.
    It's the genius of his Incredibles score that keeps him on the list. It was far more original while capturing the spirit of 60's Barry jazzesque sounds than anything Arnold could dream up.
    Not familiar enough with Jackman. First Class and Winter Soldier, right? Can't say his music really stood out to me in either film apart from FC's submarine lifting cue.
    Yes, that's it. Winter Soldier is superb. He also did Kingsman, which is also outstanding and in the same genre. More Bond'esque than Newman's regurgitated rubbish in SP.
    Desplat would be original. Just compare his Godzilla to his Grand Budapest Hotel from the same year. I wouldn't say no to Desplat.
    I think he could really give us something special.
    Djawadi really impressed with his latest season of Game of Thrones, and I do dig his score for Pacific Rim. Not sure how he'd do on Bond though. I feel like I'd need to hear one or two more major action film scores from him.
    The action scoring in Season 6 was great. He has a knack for keeping it suspenseful, melodic & distinctive. Both he and Desplat will probably be the most orchestral of the lot.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    Michael Giacchino, Joe Kraemer and Brian Tyler are my top 3 choices. The three of theme are the more memorable action composers of this generation.

    Honorable mentions would be Alan Silvestri and Elliot Goldenthal.
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    I'd be willing to give any of the above a shot compared to having Newman send us all to sleep again.

    I'm not much of a fan of Arnold's work with Brozza but CR and QOS he made me change my mind about him.

    That being said the bit where the Sky plane comes out in CR was like something out of Austin Powers, his work with Cornell, the main theme and the love theme were great but it was with his QOS score that he I felt he'd arrived and then they gave the job with the next film to someone else.

    I really wish Arnold had done Skyfall but there you go.

    That being said Desplat or Djawadi would be fine, I know he gets plenty of acclaim for his GOT and rightly so but really enjoyed his input to Westworld.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    edited April 2017 Posts: 16,351
    I'm not familiar with Desplat or Djawadi. Could anyone post some samples of their work?
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    @Murdock, I've posted these on other thread before so I apologize for the repetition. Here's Desplat:




    Here is Djawadi:



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