Film composer James Newton Howard (who has previously scored
Green Lantern,
I Am Legend and worked with Hans Zimmer on Christopher Nolan's first two
Batman films) has signed on to provide the scores for two more upcoming films. First up, according to
Film Music Reporter, the composer is set to score Disney's upcoming fantasy movie
Maleficent, which stars Angelina Jolie as the titular witch. The film also stars Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Juno Temple, Sam Riley, Miranda Richardson and Imelda Staunton. Described as the untold story of
Maleficent, the movie reveals the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse the baby Aurora.
Maleficent, which marks the directorial debut of production designer Robert Stromberg (
Alice In Wonderland) is set to hit theaters March 14th, 2014.
Additionally, Howard has confirmed in an interview with
Film Music Site that he's attached to score Lionsgate's upcoming sequel
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (which shouldn't be surprising, since he previously scored the first movie). Based on the second novel in Suzanne Collins' acclaimed trilogy,
Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donal Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever. The film also stars Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright and Stanley Tucci. Francis Lawrence (who has previously worked with Howard on
I Am Legend and
Water For Elephants) is directing
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is set to hit theaters November 22nd, 2013.