Billie Eilish, Finneas, Johnny Marr, Pharrell Williams, Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are among those who will pay tribute to composer Hans Zimmer in Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert. The film will feature a live performance of some of Zimmer’s most famous scores, including Dune, Gladiator, Interstellar and The Lion King.
Directed by Emmy winner Paul Dugdale, with Jerry Bruckheimer serving as an executive producer, the film offers viewers a glimpse into Zimmer’s creative process. The German composer’s works are brought to life by his band and an orchestra at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, the Al Wasl Plaza dome at Expo City Dubai and other venues.
The film will feature conversations with, in addition to those named above, Bruckheimer, Sir Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve and Tanya Lapointe.
“The Hans Zimmer Live tour has been one of the most exciting experiences of my career,” Zimmer said in a statement. “Seeing these compositions transform from their big-screen origins to the live show then back to the big screen is a delightful full-circle moment. I hope audiences enjoy this peek behind the curtain as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert will be released in select theaters across the Americas, Europe, Asia and United Arab Emirates, with limited screenings beginning Wednesday, March 19. Theaters in Australasia and other countries in the Middle East will screen the film at a later date. Tickets are on sale from Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 9 a.m. ET on the film’s website.
Zimmer, 67, has won four Grammys and two Oscars. He has received 12 Oscar nominations in scoring categories, across five decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s, winning for The Lion King and Dune.
Eilish paid tribute to Zimmer when she and Finneas won an Oscar for best original song for “No Time to Die” from the film of the same name, which Zimmer scored, calling him “so amazing.” Elton John and Tim Rice also paid tribute to Zimmer when they won Oscars for best original song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King. “To Hans Zimmer, who did a wonderful job with the songs,” John said.
Dugdale has won two Primetime Emmys — outstanding directing for a variety special for Adele: One Night Only (CBS) and outstanding variety special (live) as a co-executive producer of Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium (Disney+). He was also nominated for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) as executive producer of Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden (CBS).
Dugdale has also received three Grammy nods for best music film for Coldplay’s Live 2012 and Ghost Stories and Adele: One Night Only.
The film, which runs more than 2-1/2 hours, was produced by Simon Fisher, Steven Kofsky, Michael Marto, Omar Saab and John Featherstone. Executive producers are Bruckheimer, Dugdale, Steven Kofsky, Michael Marto, and Omar Saab. Distribution is by Trafalgar Releasing (in all markets excluding the Middle East, where it will be distributed by VOX).
