Hollywood Records’ series, The Big Score, is delving into the music of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Screen Rant is thrilled to present an exclusive first look at the episode. Directed by Wes Ball, this film represents another triumph in the Planet of the Apes saga, boasting strong box office performance and an 80% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also stands out within the franchise’s timeline and is the inaugural installment of an upcoming trilogy.
Screen Rant proudly unveils a sneak peek at the newest episode of The Big Score, which explores the musical composition for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The score, crafted by John Paesano—known for his work on Netflix’s acclaimed Marvel series Daredevil and the animated superhero series Invincible—adds depth to this expansive franchise. Watch the video below to discover Paesano’s creative process for this latest cinematic chapter.
John Paesano’s musical composition for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes distinguishes itself from other recent entries in the franchise, such as War for the Planet of the Apes, for compelling reasons. Given the timeline, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is likely set closer to the original 1968 film than to its 2017 predecessor. Drawing inspiration from Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score for the original Planet of the Apes, Paesano has created a soundtrack that seamlessly connects the franchise’s extensive timeline.
Paesano’s music diverges from Goldsmith’s approach primarily through its simplicity. In crafting themes for the characters in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Paesano utilized straightforward motifs and unique instruments that reflect the film’s setting. This method not only pays homage to the original film but also acknowledges the fact that traditional music, as we know it, does not exist in the world of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Additionally, Paesano integrated his music into the broader lore of the Planet of the Apes series by using traditional recording techniques. Instead of recording the orchestra section by section, Paesano chose to record the entire orchestra simultaneously. This technique produces a more organic sound, capturing the natural blend of instruments in real-time rather than through artificial means. The result is a score that sounds both timeless and contemporary, bridging Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes with both the recent trilogy and the original film.
