Marc Webb and Hans Zimmer Form Supergroup to Create Music for "The Amazing Spider-Man™ 2"; Members Include Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr, Michael Einziger, and Dave Stewart

CULVER CITY, Calif., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar®- and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer will work with Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr, Michael Einziger, and Dave Stewart to create music for The Amazing Spider-Man™ 2, it was announced today by Lia Vollack, president of Worldwide Music for Sony Pictures. The film, directed by Marc Webb from a screen story and screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, is produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach.  The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be released in theaters domestically on May 2, 2014, and international release dates commence April 16, 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Zimmer said, "Marc and I were talking about Spider-Man, and as the word got out, so many of our friends and musicians started calling us up, wanting to be a part of it, because they love Spider-Man.  That was the thing that united all of us – the great love for Spider-Man.  With all of these hugely talented people wanting to join us, it was Marc who said, 'Why not start a band?' Marc and I have had a great start jamming with everybody, and we still have a few surprises up our sleeve."

Vollack added, "This kind of collaboration is only possible because of who Marc Webb is – not only a director but also a musician – combined with who Hans is and what Spider-Man means to so many people.  Nobody has ever approached film music in this way before and this likely can never be replicated.  We're huge fans of Hans, Pharrell, Johnny, Mike, and Dave, and when combined, we know the result will be truly unique ... and amazing!"

Zimmer, a nine-time Oscar® nominee and winner for his work on The Lion King, previously collaborated with Williams on the film Despicable Me, as Williams produced four original solo songs and several other character-sung pieces.  They later collaborated on the music for the 84th Annual Academy Awards®.  Marr played on Zimmer's score for the hit film Inception, Einziger played on his score for The Lone Ranger, and Stewart played with Zimmer on the score for Madagascar 3.

Hans Zimmer has composed the scores for more than 100 films taking in more than 17 billion dollars.  His many credits include scoring the Pirates of the Caribbean blockbusters, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, 12 Years a Slave, Rush, Man of Steel, Sherlock Holmes, The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, Gladiator, The Thin Red Line, Rain Man, and many, many more.  He has been honored with an Academy Award®, two Golden Globes and four Grammys. In 2003, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers presented him the prestigious Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement for his impressive and influential body of work.

Pharrell Williams, a three-time Grammy winner, is one of the world's most in-demand and influential music producers and recording artists.  This summer, Williams became the 12th artist to hold the #1 and #2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously as he was featured on two songs – Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," also featuring T.I., which Williams also produced, and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," which Williams co-wrote – both of which have been called the "Song of Summer."  He has previously composed songs and the score for the hit animated films Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2.

Johnny Marr rose to fame as co-songwriter and founder member of The Smiths.  Since then, Marr has continued to push boundaries and work with some of the world's most exciting musical artists, including Modest Mouse, The The, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, and Beck. This year NME awarded Marr the Godlike Genius award.  He recently released the critically acclaimed solo album, "The Messenger."

Michael Einziger is the founder/guitarist/songwriter for the groundbreaking band Incubus.  "Wake Me Up," the worldwide smash he co-wrote with Avicii, has been #1 in 70 countries.  As an acclaimed record producer, he produced/co-wrote/executive produced three projects set for release in the coming months: Chuck Inglish, Yuna and the Internet (Odd Future).  In addition to scoring the Josh Duhamel film Scenic Route he has scored Supremacy and is working on three additional film projects.  Einziger previously collaborated with Zimmer on The Lone Ranger, for which he composed additional music.

Dave Stewart is recognized as one of the most respected and accomplished talents in the music industry. "He's the musician's musician." – Rolling Stone. Stewart's music career spans three decades and more than 100 million album sales, highlighted by his collaboration with Annie Lennox in the groundbreaking pop-rock duo Eurythmics. Behind the scenes, he has produced albums and co-written songs for Bono, Bryan Ferry, Gwen Stefani, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, and Mick Jagger. Beyond his creative work as a musician, he is a renowned producer, author, director, photographer, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Stewart recently released a solo album, Lucky Numbers.

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SOURCE Sony Pictures Entertainment