## Denis Villeneuve Defends Hans Zimmer’s Ineligible *Dune: Part Two* Score
The Academy’s decision to deem Hans Zimmer’s score for *Dune: Part Two* ineligible for the Best Original Score Oscar has sparked outrage among fans and, notably, director Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve vehemently disagreed with the Academy’s ruling during a recent screening of the film, stating, “I am absolutely against the decision of the Academy to exclude Hans, frankly, because I feel like his score is one of the best scores of the year…I don’t use the word genius often, but Hans is one…I’m not here to complain. The soundtrack is really a continuity of Part One.”
The Academy’s “special rules” for music categories stipulate that sequels and franchises must contain over 80% newly composed music, excluding pre-existing themes from previous installments. While this rule allowed *Gladiator II*’s score to be considered—as composer Harry Gregson-Williams sufficiently deviated from Hans Zimmer’s original score—it disqualified Zimmer’s work on *Dune: Part Two*. This exclusion is particularly frustrating given Zimmer’s previous Oscar win for the first *Dune* film and the widespread acclaim for his work on the sequel.
Despite *Dune: Part Two*’s impressive $707 million worldwide box office gross, bolstered by its simultaneous release on HBO Max, its Oscar prospects appear less promising than the first film’s ten nominations and six wins. The controversy surrounding Zimmer’s ineligibility adds another layer to the discussion surrounding the film’s potential awards success. The Academy will announce the nominees for Best Original Score on January 17th. The debate over the fairness of the Academy’s rules, and the impact of this decision on the recognition of Zimmer’s work, is sure to continue.