Michael Giacchino replaces Alexandre Desplat as Rogue One composer

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

With just a few short months to go until the premiere of ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, it seems that there's been a shake up behind-the-scenes. THR reports that Alexandre Desplat (GODZILLA), who was slated to compose the score for the STAR WARS spin-off, has departed the project and will be replaced by Michael Giacchino (STAR TREK BEYOND).

As for what's behind the switch, THR's sources tell them that we can point to the recent ROGUE ONE reshoots if we're looking for something to blame. Over the summer ROGUE ONE is said to have undergone several weeks worth of reshoots which unfortunately pushed the scoring schedule back to the point where Desplat was no longer available. Michael Giacchino is quite the big STAR WARS fan (he appeared in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS as a stormtrooper) and even if he hadn't stepped in to take over for Alexandre Desplat on ROGUE ONE, I'm sure it only would have been a matter of time before he wound up composing the score for a future STAR WARS film. Either way, it's going to be interesting to hear what a STAR WARS film without that John Williams touch will sound like.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is set for a December 16, 2016 release.