• Hans Zimmer's score for 'Dune: Part Two' has been disqualified from the Oscars due to exceeding the Academy's limit on pre-existing music.
• Despite the film's critical acclaim and Zimmer's previous Oscar win for the first Dune film, the sequel's score will not be eligible for nomination.
• Zimmer's work on 'Dune 2' remains in contention for other awards, and his score for 'Blitz' is still eligible for the Oscars.
• The decision has sparked a debate about the Academy's rules and the need for a re-evaluation to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

In a surprising turn of events, the Academy Awards have deemed Hans Zimmer's score for 'Dune: Part Two' ineligible for the Best Original Score category. This decision has been made due to the score surpassing the Academy's limit on pre-existing music, as reported by 'Variety'. The Academy's rule states that in cases such as sequels and franchises from any media, the score must not use more than 20 per cent of pre-existing themes and music borrowed from previous scores in the franchise. Zimmer's composition for 'Dune: Part Two' incorporates substantial elements from his work on 2021's Dune, thus falling outside of the eligibility criteria.

'Dune: Part Two', directed by Denis Villeneuve, was met with critical acclaim when it hit theatres in March. Both critics and audiences lauded the film's visuals, storytelling, and, most notably, the music score by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Despite being one of the biggest and most successful films of the year, 'Dune: Part Two' is set to miss out on a key Oscar category that it stood a strong chance of winning. One of its lasting impressions was Hans Zimmer's electrifying score, which evokes the feeling of Arrakis's treacherous landscape.

Zimmer won the Best Score Oscar in 2022 for his work on the first Dune film, but his efforts on the sequel will not be eligible next year due to the Academy's rules on using pre-existing music. 'Dune: Part Two' features a substantial amount of music from the first film, which voids it from being considered for nomination.

Zimmer's Other Works and Future Prospects

However, Zimmer's work on 'Dune 2' remains in contention to be recognised by other awards bodies, including the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and even the Grammys. Additionally, Zimmer's score for Steve McQueen's upcoming World War II drama 'Blitz' remains eligible, providing the composer another shot at Academy recognition this year. Zimmer and McQueen have previously collaborated on 'Widows' and the Best Picture winner '12 Years a Slave'.

This latest development adds 'Dune: Part Two' to the list of exceptional film scores deemed ineligible for Oscar consideration by the Academy's Music Branch. Other notable examples include Johann Johannsson's score for 'Arrival', Cliff Martinez's work in 'Drive', and Clint Mansell's music in 'Black Swan'. One of the most egregious examples involves composer Jonny Greenwood, whose work on 'There Will Be Blood' and 'The Master' was also disqualified from the Oscars.

The Academy's Rules and Controversies

The Academy's decision has sparked a conversation about the rules and regulations surrounding the eligibility of scores for sequels and franchises. The current rule, which limits the use of pre-existing themes and music to 20%, has been criticized for its potential to exclude exceptional works from consideration. This incident has brought to light the need for a re-evaluation of the rules to ensure that they are fair and inclusive.

The Oscars have a long history of controversial decisions and rule changes. In recent years, the Academy has faced criticism for its lack of diversity and representation. In response to the #OscarsSoWhite scandal, the Academy has invited hundreds of new members each year in an effort to expand their membership and shift the overall representation of Oscar winners. As of 2023, the Academy has more than 10,500 members, a significant increase from the 6,261 members in 2016.