Cinedadesqualification of Dune 2 in Oscar category was ‘stupid’, says Hans Zimmervencer of the Oscar for Best Soundtrack twice, the German composer criticized the decision to reject the film at the 2025 Writing ceremony

Hans Zimmer It is one of the main names in history when it comes to creating soundtracks for cinema. The German composer was nominated for Oscar 12 times and won the statuette on two occasions, with the movies The Lion King (1995) and Dune (2022).

Zimmer also signed the music of Dune: Part 2 (2024), but was eventually disqualified and was not among those nominated in the last edition of the ceremony in early March. In conversation with the podcast Happy sad confused (via NME), he finally broke the silence and commented on the absence of the film in the dispute.

Hans Zimmer’s reaction to Oscar disqualification

The music of Dune: Part 2 It was one of the most praised by critics in the last year. However, it was eventually framed as ineligible by the Academy of Arts and Cinematographic Sciencesresponsible for the prize.

The decision was based on a rule that defines a limit of pre-existing songs for a work to be indicated. “In cases such as sequences and franchises of any media, the score should not use more than 20% of pre-existing topics and borrowed songs from previous franchise scores,” says the regulation.

As the composition of Zimmer to Dune: Part 2 incorporates several elements of the first movie, could not be indicated in the Oscar – but competed in other awards, such as the Golden Globewhere it was surpassed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross put Rivals(2024).

Before questioning Zimmer on the subject, the presenter Josh Horowitz He stated that the question was a “sensitive topic.” The composer, however, disagreed with this classification and defined the decision as “stupid”.

It is not a sensitive topic. It’s just a completely stupid topic. I was disqualified because I was using material from the first movie in the second movie, but it’s not a sequence. It’s the conclusion, both movies form a unique arc. ”

“So, should I go there and take all the themes of the characters and write new themes for the characters and develop them? It is just a stupid rule. What I don’t want to do is keep complaining about it, ”he concluded.

In November, the director of the movies, Denis Villeneuvesaid it was totally against ineligibility. Shortly before, as soon as the decision was communicated by Academy, Hans Zimmer stated that his work is not done thinking about the awards and explained the creative process behind Dune: Part 2

Our purpose is to serve the narrative and create a connection with the public. We continued the journey we started in the first half, just as we stopped. The score has always been written to expand and evolve the themes and lead them to a natural end, planning from the first to the last note, ”he said.

Even outside the category of Best soundtrack – Overcome by The brutalist – Dune: Part 2 got two statuettes: Best sound and Best visual effects.

Finally, in another part of the podcast, the composer revealed that he talks every day with Villeneuve About the third franchise movie. When asked if he had ideas for a soundtrack, he joked, “mmm, maybe …”

Over dune

Dune It is set in the distant future, where planets are part of an intergalactic feudal empire, led by noble families. In history, the family of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) Accepts controlling the planet Deserto Arrakis, also known as Duna, producer of a valuable spice, which makes him the target of interest in so many other families.

In the second part of the story, Paul and your mother, Lady Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson), are together Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen, ancient residents of Arrakis. Together they plan to gather an army of allies to combat the relentless Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård).

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