> That's the question boys and girls. Why can't composers and directors get
> over the fact that St. Johnny Williams composed the score for the first
> film in the series and, when a new composer comes to the series, allow him
> to write his own themes and NOT utilize Williams'. So many opportunities
> have been wasted for composers to try their hand at composing an original
> theme for Superman simply because Williams scored the first one. There's
> really no point for it because, in the end, it's just a composer utilizing
> another artist's work, but it's not the original artist at work no matter
> how much people may want. Case in point: this score has been front page
> news at jwfan.com for ages now. Newsflash! It wasn't composed by him.

Okay, the headline was there to get attention
Seriously, though, you're a little off.
Yes, JW composed the score for the first film, and Ottman is a new composer. But Newsflash! Superman Returns is a sequel to the original.
Please don't give yourself to the illusion that John Ottman just recycled Williams because he DID write own material and the score around Williams' tributes is also original.

But ask yourself: what happens when a composer doesn't reuse Williams' themes? Then they usually come up with something that mimick Williams (Superboy, Lois & Clark). Why? Because every composer with a sane mind knows that what John Williams brings down to paper is usually perfect for his films, and same *theme* or not, the sound and tone of Williams usually remains when he leaves a series. For a reason.
And John Ottman is no exception. On the contrary, he uses Williams because he's a huge fan and knows it's the right thing to do.

> I'm just tired of his themes being perpetually reused for Superman, as if
> it's humanly impossible to exceed them so no one should even try. It's
> pretty stupid.

Unfortunately, it's not stupid, but true. Today's composer simply don't have the skills to come close. Call me arrogant, but every new score this year proves this point.