Ludwig Göransson has now won his third Academy Award, taking Best Original Score for Sinners at the 2026 Oscars. That is already a big headline on its own. But for Star Wars fans, the timing makes it even better: Göransson is also the composer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, which hits theaters on May 22, 2026. So yes, Lucasfilm’s next big-screen Star Wars movie is arriving with a composer who just added even more hardware to the shelf. This Was Not Just Another Nomination According to Pitchfork, the Sinners win was Göransson’s fifth Oscar nomination and third win. The Academy’s own Scientific & Technical Awards page is obviously not relevant here, but multiple awards-night reports and winner lists all line up on the same point: he won Best Original Score for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards. That puts him in a pretty absurd tier for a composer who still…
Star Wars music
Ludwig Göransson Says The Mandalorian and Grogu Is Going Bigger Than the Series — and Honestly, That Matters
One of the reasons The Mandalorian worked so well from the start is that it never sounded like safe, familiar Star Wars wallpaper. Ludwig Göransson gave Din Djarin a score that felt lonely, strange, dusty, metallic, and just a little mythic. It was not trying to be John Williams cosplay. It was doing its own thing. And now, heading into The Mandalorian and Grogu, Göransson is making it very clear that the movie is not just reusing the TV formula on a larger screen. Musically, at least, this thing is going much bigger. The big headline from Empire’s new coverage is the scale. In the Readly preview of Empire’s “Settling the score” feature, Göransson says the film uses a 105-piece orchestra, up from the 70-piece orchestra used for the series, and adds a 64-piece choir on top of that. He also says he had more time to work on the…
Shawn Levy Says John Williams’ Themes Won’t Be Used in STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER — And That’s a Bold Move
Shawn Levy is charting a new musical course for Star Wars: Starfighter.The director has confirmed that the upcoming film will not feature remixes, re-orchestrations, or direct lifts of John Williams’ legendary themes. No Imperial March. No Force Theme. No Williams cues repurposed for nostalgia hits. According to Levy, the goal isn’t to erase the legacy — it’s to avoid leaning on it. “It’s not going to be remixes of Williams’ cues. It may be inspired by some of that, but I needed a bighearted score from a composer who, like John Williams, doesn’t shy away from themes.” This is a creative swing — and maybe exactly the kind of swing Star Wars needs right now. A Massive Win: Thomas Newman Is Scoring a Star Wars Movie This is huge news. Thomas Newman is one of the greatest film composers alive — and now he’s doing a Star Wars movie. The…
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Original Soundtrack Now Available on CD & Vinyl
Big news for Star Wars fans and soundtrack collectors alike—composer Mick Giacchino’s score for the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew is now available in physical formats, including CD and a limited-edition 4 LP vinyl set. Whether you’re building out a Star Wars soundtrack collection or simply love epic orchestral music, this release is worth your attention. What’s Included & Why It Matters The soundtrack release includes a full presentation of Giacchino’s dynamic score from Skeleton Crew, which was first released digitally in January 2025. Key notes: Why Star Wars Fans Should Pick It Up If you’re part of the galaxy-far-afar fandom, here’s why you’ll want this soundtrack in your shelf: Where to Buy You can pre-order or buy now via several retailers. For example: Final Thoughts This release is a great opportunity to own a piece of the Star Wars universe in high-quality physical form. If your shelves are home to…
Ludwig Göransson Officially Returns to Score The Mandalorian & Grogu
The galaxy far, far away just got its soundtrack secured. Ludwig Göransson, the Oscar-winning composer who gave The Mandalorian its unmistakable musical identity, is officially back to score the upcoming film The Mandalorian & Grogu. The Sound That Defined a Series From the very first notes of The Mandalorian’s theme in 2019, Göransson’s music stood apart from traditional Star Wars scores. That combination became as iconic as any blaster sound or lightsaber hum. Why His Return Matters Göransson’s involvement in The Mandalorian & Grogu—set for theatrical release on May 22, 2026—is more than just a familiar name on the credits: A Composer at the Peak of His Powers Göransson’s resume has only grown since The Mandalorian debuted: Bringing that momentum back to Star Wars guarantees a score that blends his inventive sonic palette with the grand tradition of galaxy-wide adventure. The Bigger Picture for Star Wars Music John Williams set…
John Williams – The Anthology Vol. 1 (1969–1990): A Masterclass in Cinematic Sound, Boxed and Beautiful
What do Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Star Wars all have in common—besides being box office behemoths and eternal meme fuel? Their soundtracks all bear the unmistakable musical fingerprint of John Williams, the composer who made orchestras cool and brass sections terrifying. Now, for the first time, fans of film music, cinema history, and vinyl collectors can experience a curated deep-dive into his early career with John Williams – The Anthology Vol. 1: 1969–1990. And yes—you can preorder it now on Amazon:👉 Preorder here A Vinyl Box Set Worthy of the Maestro Himself Set to release as a 4-LP vinyl box, this anthology is a celebration of John Williams’ early genius, covering the two prolific decades that built his legacy. The collection includes new stereo remasters, rarities, and hand-picked selections from: If you’re the type of person who gets chills from a French horn or starts humming when…
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld Original Soundtrack – Full Review and Breakdown
The galaxy just got a little more epic with the release of the Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld Original Soundtrack. Available now on major platforms like Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify, the soundtrack is a collaborative masterpiece featuring compositions from Kevin Kiner, Sean Kiner, Deana Kiner, and select tracks by Jason Fujita. If you want to grab your own copy, you can find it here on Amazon. A New Sound for the Underworld This isn’t your typical Star Wars score. Known for his work on The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, Kevin Kiner brings his signature touch to the grimy, shadowy underworld of the galaxy. Joined by Sean and Deana Kiner, the trio creates a soundscape that feels both deeply rooted in Star Wars lore and uniquely fresh. Jason Fujita’s select tracks add an extra layer of intensity and mood that perfectly complements the series’ darker themes. Tracklist…