Steven Spielberg to make documentary about legendary screen composer John Williams

John Williams, the legendary screen composer behind some of the most recognized movie themes of all time, is now the subject of a feature-length documentary, with his longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg among those spearheading the project, according to The  Hollywood Reporter.

Amblin Television, Imagine Documentaries and Nedland Media are in the very early stages of production on the documentary that is being directed by Laurent Bouzereau. 

Spielberg is executive producing along with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein and Meredith Kaulfers.

Williams is the most recognized and accomplished composer alive and perhaps the most influential in movie history. And it’s his unique 50-year relationship with Spielberg that is remarkable in an industry that resists longevity and is eager to chase the next big—and usually young—thing.

Williams, now 90, was expected to retire after finishing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, being directed by James Mangold. But at a talk with Spielberg onstage earlier this month, Williams surprised his friend by saying that he no longer planned on retiring after that film.

Spielberg went on to compare their 50-year relationship to an ideal marriage. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a disagreement,” he said, adding with a chuckle, “I mean, what am I going to do? Sit down and write the music myself?”

With a career spanning more than six decades, Williams has composed the music and served as music director for more than 100 films, including all nine Star Wars films, the first three Harry Potter films, JFK, Born on the Fourth of July, Memoirs of a Geisha, Far and Away, The Accidental Tourist, Home Alone and The Book Thief.

His nearly 50-year artistic partnership with Spielberg includes the Indiana Jones films and Jaws as well Schindler’s List, E.T., Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Munich, Saving Private Ryan, The Adventures of Tintin, War Horse, Lincoln, The BFG, The Post and the filmmaker’s current feature, The Fabelmans.