Steven Spielberg’s BRIDGE OF SPIES Out In October; Thomas Newman Replaces John Williams As Composer

It’s a little odd that Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies has flown under-the-radar for so long. After all the film stars Tom Hanks and it was written by Joel and Ethan Coen (with help from Mattt Charman). Maybe it’s because until recently it was without a title, something which is never a good thing when you want to drum-up publicity. That’s all set to change as the film’s 9 October release date approaches, a time that puts it smack-dab in the middle of the awards movie conversation.

The big thing at the minute is that John Williams will not be scoring this Spielberg pic – a major oddity considering that Williams has composed the music for Spielberg’s movies since the seventies. The reason is that John Williams had a ‘minor heath issue’ and was unable to work on the film and scoring duties have been handed over to Thomas Newman (American Beauty, Skyfall). Williams is now in his 80s, so its not surprising that he’s had to slow down, but rest assured that he’ll be wielding the baton for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Here’s the original synopsis for Bridge of Spies:

A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of James Donovan (Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. Screenwriters Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.