If you’ve watched any Star Wars film ever — from A New Hope in 1977 to The Last Jedi in 2017 — then you have heard legendary composer John Williams’ score. The man has five Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs, three Emmys, four Golden Globes, and a whopping 24 Grammys.
Williams won those prestigious awards for his work on films like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. and Schindler’s List. And this year, he’s been nominated for an Academy Award for his score for The Last Jedi. He’s a living legend. Sadly, it looks like Williams is leaving Star Wars behind after he finishes his score for J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX, which is out next year. “We know J.J. Abrams is preparing one now that I will hopefully do next year for him,” Williams told Classical KUSC. “I look forward it. It will round out a series of nine, that will be quite enough for me.”
That sound you heard was millions of Star Wars fan’s suddenly crying out in terror. But realistically, Williams is 86 years olf, and some point, a successor must be named to fill his shoes. In 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story became the first Star Wars film Williams didn’t score. That task fell to Michael Giacchino (Spider-Man: Homecoming, War for the Planet of the Apes, Coco), and although Williams will have a hand in the score for Solo: A Star Wars Story, the main composer will be John Powell (Ice Age, Rio, How to Train your Dragon).
So when Williams leaves the conductor’s podium after Episode IX, who will pick up his baton and take his place? I humbly submit Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi.
The main theme for Game of Thrones is now iconic, as are many of his other compositions for the show, including “Goodbye Brother,” “Light of the Seven,” and many more. Djawadi has several Emmy nominations for his work on Thrones, of course, but also for shows like Westworld and Prison Break. On the big screen, his resume includes hits like Iron Man, Clash of the Titans, and Pacific Rim. By every metric, Ramin Djawadi is more than capable of tackling the Star Wars franchise, one of the most popular film franchises on Earth.
There’s another reason why Djawadi would fit right in at Lucasfilm: David Benioff and Dan Weiss. After they’re done making Game of Thrones, the pair will be writing and directing a “new series of Star Wars films.” Benioff and Weiss have been working with Djawadi since the show began, and they know how good he is. What better way to start their new tenure in a galaxy far, far away than by employing the composer who’s been turning in distinguished work for the past eight years? Ramin Djawadi is the man for the job.
Next: Sophie Turner has her final Game of Thrones costume fitting
To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels
h/t Slash Film