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Composer John Williams is leaving Star Wars after Episode IX—should Ramin Djawadi fill his shoes?

By David Harris (Razor)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 09: Honoree John Williams accepts the Life Achievement Award onstage during American Film Institute’s 44th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute show to John Williams at Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2016 in Hollywood, California. 26148_005 (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 09: Honoree John Williams accepts the Life Achievement Award onstage during American Film Institute’s 44th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute show to John Williams at Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2016 in Hollywood, California. 26148_005 (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Turner) /
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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.

ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 13: John Williams attends the Star Wars Celebration Day 1 on April 13, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 13: John Williams attends the Star Wars Celebration Day 1 on April 13, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images) /

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).

Game of Thrones
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: Composer Ramin Djawadi attends the ‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 4 New York premiere at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on March 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) /

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.

CENTURY CITY, CA – JANUARY 23: Producers/writers David Benioff (L) and D. B. Weiss accept The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama for ‘Game of Thrones’ (Season 5) onstage at the 27th Annual Producers Guild Of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on January 23, 2016 in Century City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
CENTURY CITY, CA – JANUARY 23: Producers/writers David Benioff (L) and D. B. Weiss accept The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama for ‘Game of Thrones’ (Season 5) onstage at the 27th Annual Producers Guild Of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on January 23, 2016 in Century City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /

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

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h/t Slash Film

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