John Powell (film composer)
John Powell | |
|---|---|
 John Powell in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | London, England |
| Origin | East Sussex, England |
| Genres | Film score |
| Occupation(s) | Music composer Music conductor |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | 5 Cat Studios |
| Website | johnpowellmusic |
John Powell is an English film and television music composer and music conductor. He has been based in Los Angeles, California since 1997 and has composed the music to over 70 feature films. He is best known for composing the music for films such as Face/Off, the Bourne films, the Happy Feet films, United 93, X-Men: The Last Stand, Wicked and its upcoming sequel For Good, Evolution, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Migration, Drumline, Hancock, The Call of the Wild, Bolt, That Christmas, Thelma the Unicorn, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, eight Blue Sky Studios films and nine DreamWorks Animation films.
His work on Happy Feet, Ferdinand and Solo: A Star Wars Story has earned him three Grammy nominations. He was nominated for two Academy Awards for How to Train Your Dragon and Wicked.[1]
Powell was a member of Hans Zimmer's music studio, Remote Control Productions, and has collaborated frequently with other composers from the studio, including Harry Gregson-Williams on Antz, Chicken Run and Shrek and Zimmer himself on Chill Factor, The Road to El Dorado, and the first two Kung Fu Panda films.
He has also collaborated with film directors such as Carlos Saldanha, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Jon M. Chu, George Miller, John Woo, Ron Underwood, Doug Liman, Charles Stone III and Paul Greengrass.
Early life and education
[edit]As a child, he played the violin and viola. He studied the violin at the Trinity College of Music, central London (now the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, London). There, he met John Ashton Thomas, who orchestrated many of Powell's scores. Powell played for "Faboulistics", an amateur rock and roll band.[2]
After finishing college, he composed music for commercials, which led to a job as an assistant to the composer Patrick Doyle on several film productions, including Much Ado About Nothing.[3] In 1995, Powell co-founded the London-based commercial music house Independently Thinking Music with Gavin Greenaway,[4] which produced scores for more than 100 British and French commercials and independent films.
Career
[edit]Powell's first score was for the Season 4 of the TV series Stay Lucky. He moved to Los Angeles in 1997 and scored his first major film, Face/Off. It was followed by Antz in 1998, the first film produced by DreamWorks Animation, which he co-scored with fellow British composer Harry Gregson-Williams, which also marked the duo's first score for an animated film. Two years later, Powell collaborated with composer Hans Zimmer on the score for The Road to El Dorado. Later that same year, he also teamed up with Harry Gregson-Williams again to compose the score to Chicken Run and then again the following year on Shrek. Gregson-Williams composed all the subsequent Shrek films and the sequel to Chicken Run himself. In 2001 he also scored Evolution, I Am Sam, Just Visiting and Rat Race.
In 2002 Powell was hired to score The Bourne Identity for director Doug Liman after Carter Burwell left the project. He also returned to score the series' other two films, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, under British director Paul Greengrass.
Powell collaborated with Liman again to score Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). That year he also scored Robots for Blue Sky Studios, and went on to score many of the studio's subsequent films until 2017's Ferdinand.
In 2006, he scored Greengrass' United 93. He also composed music for his second Blue Sky film Ice Age: The Meltdown, following David Newman, who scored the first Ice Age film; as well as X-Men: The Last Stand and Happy Feet, for which he won a Film & TV Music Award for Best Score for an Animated Feature Film. The next year he scored The Bourne Ultimatum. In 2008 he reunited with Hans Zimmer and returned to DreamWorks Animation to score Kung Fu Panda, and also wrote music for Jumper, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, Hancock, and Bolt. In 2009 he scored the third film of Ice Age series; Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
In 2010, Powell composed the score to How to Train Your Dragon, which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Score. It was his sixth DreamWorks Animation film, although the first where he composed the whole score himself. That year he also scored Greengrass's Green Zone and Knight and Day.
In 2013, Powell took a sabbatical year from film scoring. In April 2014, after completing his scores to sequels Rio 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 2, he announced he would take another break to compose concert music, including a 45-minute oratorio to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of World War I. The piece, "A Prussian Requiem", with a libretto by Michael Petry, premiered on 6 March 2016 at The Royal Festival Hall, London with José Serebrier conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.[5]
Powell composed the score for Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018),[6] collaborating with John Williams, who wrote Han Solo's theme. In 2019, Powell scored How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, the final film in the How to Train Your Dragon series. In November 2023, it was announced that Powell would compose the musical score for the 2024 Netflix and Locksmith Animation film That Christmas. In January 2024, it was announced that Powell will return to compose the score for the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.[7] In August 2024, it was confirmed that Powell will compose and conduct the incidental score for the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, in collaboration with the musical's composer Stephen Schwartz.[8][9][10]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]1990s
[edit]| Year | Title | Director(s) | Company credits | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Face/Off | John Woo | Touchstone Pictures Paramount Pictures Permut Presentations Douglas/Reuther Productions WCG Entertainment Productions |
Additional music composed by Gavin Greenaway Originally composed by Mark Isham John Powell's first musical score for a feature film |
| 1998 | With Friends Like These... | Philip Frank Messina | Miramax Films Parkway Productions Quadrant Films Robert Greenhut Productions |
Also a music conductor |
| Endurance | Leslie Woodhead Bud Greenspan |
Walt Disney Pictures Channel Four Films Helkon Media La Junta Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Also a music producer Additional music composed by Geoff Zanelli | |
| Antz | Eric Darnell Tim Johnson |
DreamWorks Pictures DreamWorks Animation PDI/DreamWorks |
Co-composed with Harry Gregson-Williams Additional music composed by Gavin Greenaway, Geoff Zanelli and Steve Jablonsky John Powell's first musical score for an animated feature film | |
| 1999 | Forces of Nature | Bronwen Hughes | DreamWorks Pictures Roth-Arnold Productions |
Also a soundtrack producer Additional music composed by Gavin Greenaway |
| Chill Factor | Hugh Johnson | Morgan Creek Entertainment Warner Bros. Pictures |
Co-composed with Hans Zimmer Additional music composed by Klaus Badelt, James S. Levine, James McKee Smith, Jeff Rona and Geoff Zanelli |
2000s
[edit]2010s
[edit]2020s
[edit]| Year | Title | Director(s) | Company credits | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Call of the Wild[14] | Chris Sanders | 20th Century Studios TSG Entertainment 3 Arts Entertainment Halon Entertainment |
Also a music conductor, a score producer and a soundtrack producer Additional music composed by Batu Sener, Kamille Rudisill, Kelly Adams and Paul Mounsey |
| 2021 | Locked Down[15] | Doug Liman | Warner Bros. Pictures AGC Studios Storyteller Productions Hypnotic Nebulastar HBO Max |
Also a score producer and a score performer Additional music composed by Batu Sener |
| 2022 | Don't Worry Darling[16] | Olivia Wilde | Warner Bros. Pictures New Line Cinema Vertigo Entertainment |
Also a music conductor Additional music composed by Batu Sener |
| 2023 | Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie | Davis Guggenheim | Apple TV+ Concordia Studio |
Additional music composed by Batu Sener |
| Migration[17] | Benjamin Renner | Universal Pictures Illumination |
Additional music composed by Batu Sener and Pete Davison[18] | |
| 2024 | Thelma the Unicorn[19] | Jared Hess Lynn Wang |
Netflix Netflix Animation Netflix Studios Scholastic Entertainment |
Also a choir conductor Additional music composed by Batu Sener[20] |
| Wicked[21] | Jon M. Chu | Universal Pictures Marc Platt Productions |
Also a choir conductor Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score Incidental score co-composed with Stephen Schwartz Additional music composed by Batu Sener and Markus Siegel | |
| That Christmas[22][23] | Simon Otto | Netflix Netflix Animation Locksmith Animation DNEG Animation |
Additional music composed by Batu Sener, Anthony Willis, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Markus Siegel[24] | |
| 2025 | How to Train Your Dragon[25] | Dean DeBlois | Universal Pictures DreamWorks Animation Marc Platt Productions |
Also a choir conductor Live-action remake of the 2010 animated film of the same name Additional music composed by Batu Sener and Markus Siegel |
| Wicked: For Good[21] | Jon M. Chu | Universal Pictures Marc Platt Productions |
Also a choir conductor Incidental score co-composed with Stephen Schwartz Additional music composed by Batu Sener and Markus Siegel |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Creator(s) | Company credits | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1993 | Stay Lucky | Geoff McQueen | Yorkshire Television ITV |
Co-composed with Ray Russell Title music composed by Danny Chang and Mike Price John Powell's first musical score for a television series |
| 1996–1997 | High Incident | Steven Spielberg Michael Pavone Eric Bogosian Dave Alan Johnson |
Johnson/Pavone Productions Nothing But Net, Inc. (season 1) Donwell Productions (season 2) DreamWorks Television ABC |
Co-composed with Jeff Rona and Christopher Tyng Theme music composed by Hans Zimmer Additional music composed by Chris Horvath |
| 2003 | Stealing Sinatra | Howard Korder | Showtime Networks Ron Ziskin Productions Inc. Showtime |
Television film Additional music composed by James McKee Smith |
| 2022 | Ice Age: Scrat Tales[26] | Chris Wedge[27] | Blue Sky Studios (final animated production before shutting down) Blue Sky Television 20th Century Studios 20th Century Animation Disney+ |
Miniseries Also an accordionist Co-composed with Batu Sener |
Albums
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Year | Title | Category | Notes | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Hubris: Choral Works by John Powell[28] | Classical | First release on John Powell's own label, 5 Cats Studios.
John Powell's 1st original project. Performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra. |
5 Cat Studios | FCS001 |
| 2020 | Piano Solos from "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World"[29] | Solo Piano | Music by John Powell.
Piano solos performed by Batu Sener. |
FCS005 | |
| Piano Solos from "The Call of the Wild" | FCS007 | ||||
| Film Suites, Vol. 1 | Classical | Performed with Jose Serebrier, Philharmonia Orchestra, and The Philharmonia Voices. | FCS010 |
Archival soundtrack albums
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Forces of Nature (Music from the Motion Picture) | Released on Audio CD.
Limited 1000 copies. Co-composed with Oliver J. Lieber The first awaiting official score album since the 1999 film debut. Includes 2 bonus tracks/demos. |
5 Cat Studios, La-La Land Records | |
| How to Train Your Dragon (The Deluxe Edition)[30] | Deluxe Edition of the 2010 film score.
Includes alternate versions and demos. |
5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande | ||
| Solo: A Star Wars Story (Deluxe Edition) | Deluxe Edition of the 2018 film score.
Includes over 2 hours of original/unedited music as written for the film, and an end credits suite. Han Solo Theme & Original Star Wars Music by John Williams. Additional Music by Batu Sener, Anthony Willis & Paul Mounsey. |
5 Cat Studios, Walt Disney Records | ||
| 2021 | Paycheck: The Deluxe Edition (Music From The Motion Picture)[31] | Deluxe Edition of the 2003 film score.
This Deluxe Edition greatly expands the playing time to over 95 minutes.[31] |
5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande | |
| 2022 | How to Train Your Dragon 2 (The Deluxe Edition) | Deluxe Edition of the 2014 film score.
Includes alternate versions and demos. |
5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande, Back Lot Music | |
| The Bourne Identity (Tumescent Edition) | Expanded score with alternate versions of cues. | 5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande | 888072412774 | |
| 2024 | How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (The Deluxe Edition)[32] | Deluxe Edition of the 2019 film score.
Includes alternate versions and demos. Additional Music by Batu Sener, Anthony Willis & Paul Mounsey. |
5 Cat Studios, Varèse Sarabande |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "From Gigli to Oscar: Composer John Powell Reacts to His Nomination". Movieline. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "John Powell – Composer Biography, Facts and Music Compositions". FAMOUS COMPOSERS. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "Much Ado About Nothing · British Universities Film & Video Council". bufvc.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "John Powell receives IFMCA Award for The Call of the Wild". IFMCA: International Film Music Critics Association. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "John Powell's 'A Prussian Requiem' to be performed live in London". SoundtracksAndTrailerMusic.com. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ "John Powell on Scoring The "Completely Absorbing World" of Solo: A Star Wars Story". Star Wars. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Gearan, Hannah (16 February 2023). "How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action Movie Bringing Back Key Original Creator". ScreenRant. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked'". Film Music Reporter. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Sharpe, Josh (8 July 2024). "John Powell Scoring WICKED Movie With Stephen Schwartz". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Giere, Carol de. "The Schwartz Scene updates on the Wicked Soundtrack from Stephen Schwartz". The Schwartz Scene. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ V., Erin (2 April 2012). "Interview: Dean DeBlois, director of 'How To Train Your Dragon'". One Movie, Five Views. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
- ^ "John Powell to Score Untitled Han Solo Movie". Star Wars. Lucasfilm. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- ^ "How to Train Your Dragon 3 Pushed Back to 2017". ComingSoon.net. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack.net".
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Doug Liman's 'Locked Down'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling". Film Music Reporter. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Illumination Entertainment's 'Migration' | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "IMDb Full Music Credits". IMDb.
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Lynn Wang's & Jared Hess' Thelma the Unicorn". Film Music Reporter. 5 December 2023.
- ^ "IMDb Full Music Department Credits". IMDb.
- ^ a b "John Powell Scoring Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked'". Film Music Reporter. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Powell, John (30 November 2023). "Scoring my 25th animated film and my first Xmas movie at Abbey Road Studios this week 🎶 Coming next winter! ❄️ #JohnPowell #soundtrack…". Retrieved 1 December 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ "John Powell Scoring Locksmith Animation's 'That Christmas'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "IMDb Full Music Department Credits". IMDb.
- ^ "John Powell to Score Dean DeBlois' 'How to Train Your Dragon' Live-Action Film Adaptation". Film Music Reporter. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ "Batu Sener Scoring Disney+'s 'Ice Age: Scrat Tales' | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "Ice Age: Scrat Tales". ComicBook. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "Hubris: Choral Works by John Powell (192kHz / 24-bit)". John Powell. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- ^ "Film Music Reporter".
- ^ "How To Train Your Dragon: The Deluxe Edition (CD)". Varèse Sarabande. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Paycheck: The Deluxe Edition (Music From The Motion Picture) (2-CD)". Varèse Sarabande. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ "Powell's announcement of the Deluxe Edition of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World".
External links
[edit]- John Powell – official site
- John Powell discography at Discogs
- John Powell at IMDb
- John Powell Archived 13 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine biography at SoundtrackNet
- 20th-century English composers
- 20th-century English male musicians
- 21st-century English composers
- 21st-century English male musicians
- Animated film score composers
- Annie Award winners
- Blue Sky Studios people
- Composers from London
- DreamWorks Animation people
- English expatriate musicians in the United States
- English film score composers
- English male film score composers
- Film people from London
- Hollywood Records artists
- Illumination (company) people
- Ivor Novello Award winners
- Living people
- People from East Sussex
- Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Varèse Sarabande Records artists
- Walt Disney Animation Studios people