One of the best bits about running GoSeeTalk is getting to know people over time. As consumers, we can watch anyone’s career grow. But from a journalistic standpoint, having conversations about what a particular creative makes, how they do it, and all the steps along the way make for a greater understanding and appreciation of the things we see and hear.
So let’s go back to 2013 when we first had the great opportunity to speak to rock star composer Harry Gregson-Williams. We had an interview at length and dove head first into multiple high points on his resume. That was then followed up a couple years later to discuss the next film du jour: Ridley Scott‘s exceptional space epic The Martian. And on it went, so much so that we will always welcome Harry back to talk shop.
For more than 30 years, Gregson-Williams has seen it all and done it all – as you’ll hear in the intro of today’s episode, we rattle off a bunch of things Harry has made better with his magic. Whether it’s the thrill-a-minute short film about a BMW or the 4 plus hours of music he wrote for Kingdom of Heaven, there’s a tangible weight, heart and energy he brings to each project. In fact, Harry’s music can be so uplifting that you’d almost think chickens could fly. Spoiler: they can’t. But Harry (and John Powell) sure let them run!
So that brings us to today’s post as some twenty years later Harry gets to revisit that charming Aardman property. For Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Sam Fell’s 2023 follow-up required a whole new approach as the story this time is about the plasticine poultry trying to break in. Musical inspiration was less The Great Escape and more Mission: Impossible (where Harry even had a little fun reworking the famous M:I theme). This tonal shift also helped make it feel like a good amount of time had passed…even if chickens only live about ten years.
But while that was like a homecoming, Harry had also found much enjoyment working on another animal themed sequel, television work with his brother (Rupert Gregson-Williams), some synth-heavy tension for the latest Liam Neeson actioner, and future projects on the horizon including some nice career continuity working on another Ridley Scott film. Having recently scored The Last Duel, and House of Gucci, Harry is hard at work on Gladiator II.
We had a wonderful time catching up with Harry on this episode, and perhaps it’s fitting that we used a track from The Martian called “See You In a Few” at the end of the session. So until we chat again – likely when Gladiator II comes out this the end of this year – enjoy hearing Harry discuss his work on this session of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience!
