Hans Zimmer’s much-anticipated score for Dune: Part Two has been deemed ineligible for the Oscars, despite initial predictions of it being a strong contender for the Best Original Score category. The renowned composer, who won an Academy Award for his work on Dune (2021), will not be able to compete at this year’s Oscars due to the Academy’s specific rules regarding the use of pre-existing music. According to a report from Variety, the Academy disqualifies any score that uses more than 20% of music from previous works within a franchise, which is the case for Zimmer’s Dune: Part Two composition.
Zimmer’s work for the sequel incorporates significant musical elements from the original Dune score, automatically exceeding the limit set by the Academy’s guidelines. The rule is intended to ensure that the Best Original Score category remains focused on new and original compositions, rather than themes reused from previous films.
Although Dune: Part Two received critical acclaim for its visuals, storytelling, and musical score, this disqualification puts Zimmer out of the Oscars race. However, his work is still eligible for other prestigious awards such as the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Grammys. Additionally, his score for Steve McQueen’s upcoming World War II film Blitz remains in Oscar contention, giving Zimmer another opportunity for recognition this year.
This latest disqualification adds Dune: Part Two to a list of acclaimed film scores that have been deemed ineligible by the Academy in previous years, including Johann Johannsson’s Arrival, Clint Mansell’s Black Swan, and Jonny Greenwood’s There Will Be Blood.
