Denis Villeneuve Calls Out Oscars For Disqualifying Dune 2 Score By Hans Zimmer

Denis Villeneuve criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for disqualifying Hans Zimmer’s Dune: Part Two score from consideration in the Best Original Score category at the 2025 Oscars. Under Academy rules, a sequel’s score must consist of at least 80% original compositions to qualify. Since Zimmer’s work for Part Two incorporates substantial elements from Dune: Part One, it unfortunately did not meet this criterion. Zimmer previously won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 2022 for Dune: Part One.

According to Slash Film, Villeneuve addressed the Academy’s decision at a recent Dune: Part Two screening. The music for the sequel, while drawing heavily from its predecessor, featured original arrangements and themes, and Villeneuve praised Zimmer in his comments as a genuis. Check out Villeneuve’s full comments regarding the disqualification below:

“I am absolutely against the decision of the Academy to exclude Hans, frankly, because I feel like his score is one of the best scores of the year. I don’t use the word genius often, but Hans is one.”

What This Means for the Dune Franchise and Awards Season

The Academy Has Rules, But At What Cost?

The Academy’s rules aim to ensure that a sequel’s music is set apart from the preceding film, prioritizing originality in the category. While Dune: Part Two introduces several new musical pieces, its reliance on motifs, instruments, and leitmotifs from the first film aligns with Villeneuve’s vision of the Dune series. This continuity, however, became a critical factor in the score’s ineligibility.

Due to this, Villeneuve’s disappointment over the decision is reflective of the challenges sequels face during awards season. Though Zimmer’s score enhances the film’s overall experience, the Academy’s decision comes from a place of awarding originality over thematic consistency. With the eleven-time-nominated composer already holding an Oscar for the first film, the sequel’s disqualification points toward the complexities of honoring franchises within the Academy’s guidelines.

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So far this awards season, Dune: Part Two has faced other awards-related hurdles. Obstructions include factors such as a delayed release due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which shifted its premiere from November 2023 to March 2024. This delay potentially impacted its visibility and awards campaign momentum, placing further pressure on its recognition at the 2025 Oscars.

Our Take on Villeneuve’s Criticism Toward The Oscars

Hans Zimmer Will Be Left Out of the 2025 Oscars

Paul, played by Timothée Chalamet, hugs Chani, played by Zendaya, in Dune: Part Two.

While the Academy’s decision adheres to its standards, Villeneuve’s frustration is expected due to how integral Zimmer’s work is to the Dune franchise. Zimmer’s music not only complements visual storytelling, but also bridges the narratives of both Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. The film’s disqualification poises broader questions about how award rules accommodate sequels and serialized storytelling, especially in a time when franchises dominate Hollywood and after Wicked, another adaptation, found its score to be eligible for contention in the category.

Source: Slash Film