Hans Zimmer on ‘cut-throat’ Hollywood, Brexit ‘bureaucracy’ and protecting the planet
Prolific film composer Hans Zimmer has spoken of his Brexit frustrations, the “grim” state of the world and says he fears the consequences of what’s happening in Number 10 “are going to be dreadful”.
The 12-time Oscar nominee – who is the subject of a new BBC documentary, Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel – told Sky News: “The world is really grim so we need music, we need the arts, more than we ever did.”
Born in Germany, Zimmer was 14 when he moved to England. Now one of the most sought-after men in Hollywood, having produced hundreds of film scores during his 40-year career, he now divides his time between LA and London.
“There are so many wonderful, horrible things you can say about Hollywood, you know, and they are all true,” he teases, “cut-throat is like the best thing you can say… but the thing is, it does commission orchestral music on an hourly basis.
“If the symphony orchestras go, such a large chunk of our culture would go,” he explains before letting out a big sigh.
“I mean, how political do we want to get? Brexit was sort of a surprise to me as a foreigner, especially because, you know, I kept bringing movies back to England and employing orchestras all the time.
Zimmer says he experienced the “bureaucracy” first hand as he toured across Europe for a series of live performances of his work earlier this year.
“My orchestra came from Odessa, Ukraine. The war had started so we only managed to get 10 people out and it was really difficult. But for all of Europe – no problem. Going across borders everybody was welcoming them with open arms….
“[then] Trying to get across the Channel it was a different thing. I had to leave seven behind. They just couldn’t get visas.
“They weren’t going to stay here,” Zimmer explains incredulously, “they didn’t want to!”
Sir David Attenborough
As a country, for Zimmer, Britain seems to have lost sight of the importance of what the arts can offer.
“If you’re too literal about these things, you know, you are going to come up with a disaster of just scrapping the arts. Yes, the symphony orchestra is a very, very expensive hobby but if you think about what it means to humanity, to human culture… if the symphony orchestras go, such a large chunk of our culture would go.
“The other thing that’s very important to me, is the operative word in music is ‘play’,” he explains.
Referring to Liz Truss, he teases: “If people were just a little bit more playful, they might stay a little longer as premier of the United Kingdom, no never mind, I didn’t mean to say that.
“I mean, either we weep or let’s be a little bit playful about the whole thing because the consequences are going to be dreadful,” he adds.
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While Zimmer has written scores for movie classics like the Lion King, Gladiator, even The Dark Knight, he’s also written music for the natural world, working on a number of projects with veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.
“That’s actually the most important work I’m doing because, I don’t know if you noticed, it was quite warm this summer.
“We desperately need a voice in this world that speaks to us about how we are just a small part of this planet, and that maybe – despite of what we did in Interstellar – it might not be such a good idea to leave this planet, it might be better to be a little bit more mindful about who we share this planet with.”
Hans Zimmer – Hollywood Rebel is available now on BBC iPlayer.
Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.
Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.
Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.
The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.
A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.
Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP
Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”
Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.
Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”
The band then played the track of the same name.
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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”
They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.
The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.
The BBC has responded after it was reported that two Strictly Come Dancing stars have been accused of taking cocaine.
The broadcaster is said to have hired an external law firm to probe the drug-taking allegations, which a source said were “well-known” on the show, The Sun on Sunday reports.
The claims were reportedly made on behalf of celebrity contestant Wynne Evans in a legal submission to the BBC in March.
In response, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
Sky News understands that it is not unusual for the BBC to engage an external individual to provide additional expert resource to help deliver a BBC-led investigation. In these cases, they would report to an established BBC team.
PA file pic
The allegations published in The Sun on Sunday include a source saying that one Strictly star had told another about a third celebrity on the show: “Have you seen their pupils… they’re off their face.”
“The BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them. Now they are taking firm action,” the source reportedly said.
The two individuals accused of drug taking have not been named.
It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC and Strictly.
In July last year, Amanda Abbington accused Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of “abusive or threatening behaviour”. The actress, who was paired with Pernice, withdrew from the show in 2023.
The BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a “vindication”, while Pernice denied displaying “abusive or threatening behaviour”.
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Also in July 2024, Strictly professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima confirmed he was leaving the show amid reports of alleged misconduct.
Separately, Laura Whitmore alleged “inappropriate behaviour” during her time on the show.
In January this year, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made “inappropriate and unacceptable” comments at the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, for which he later apologised.
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