Despite “Dune: Part Two” receiving critical acclaim upon release, Hans Zimmer’s celebrated score for Denis Villanueve’s film is ineligible for an Oscar nomination due to Academy rules on the use of pre-existing music. While the film’s visuals, storytelling, and Zimmer’s powerful music have been praised by audiences and critics alike, the Acadmy’s strict guidelines for sequels and franchises have barred his score from consideration in the Orignal Score category.
The Academy rule specifies that, in sequels and franchise films, a score must not consist of more than 20% of pre-existing music from earlier works in the series. In Zimmer’s “Dune: Part Two” score, the composer integrated musical themes from the first, surpassing the Academy’s 20% threshold. The prior music motifs connect both parts of Villanueve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, allowing Zimmer’s work to carry a cohesive musical journey from across the franchise.
However, while Zimmer’s “Dune: Part Two” score won’t be in Oscar contention, his work remains eligible for other awards like the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and even the Grammys. Zimmer shared with Variety that he does not make music for awards and that in storytelling, the purpose is to serve the narrative and connect with the audience.