He's been a key, iconic part of the Star Wars creative galaxy since the first film, but now John Williams appears ready to leave it in his past once he's finished his next score. The composer told US radio station KUSC (as covered by The Hollywood Reporter) that he'll stop after Episode IX.
"We know J.J. Abrams is preparing one now for next year that I will hopefully do for him, and I look forward to it," Williams told the station. "It will round out a series of nine and be quite enough for me."
Of course, being a living legend, and an 86-year-old to boot (with five Oscars and 51 nominations to his name), Williams is entitled to do what the heck he wants in his career. Disney and Lucasfilm have already started to move away from his music for the stand-alone Star Wars Story films, but not hearing his work on the main movies would still be a punch in the gut. Can anyone step up to take his mantle? Michael Giacchino is a fair shout, at least.
As for Williams, we'll see whether he's tempted back after the latest trilogy capper. And just because he's not composing for the Star Wars films doesn't mean we won't hear new scores from him at all – chances are, he'll be back for future Steven Spielberg movies and anything else he feels like doing.
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