Hans Zimmer is “overjoyed with pride” as his protégé takes on the role of composing for *Gladiator II*.

Harry Gregson-Williams, the composer for Gladiator II, admitted feeling “plenty of pressure” stepping into the legacy of Hans Zimmer, who crafted the iconic score for the original film. Despite the challenge, Gregson-Williams shared that Zimmer, his former mentor, was “bursting with pride” after hearing the new music.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Gregson-Williams revealed that Zimmer was “one of the first calls” he made after being approached by Sir Ridley Scott for the sequel 18 months ago. “I was really thrilled to be asked by Ridley,” he said, “but it was not something I ever expected to do – a sequel to a Hans Zimmer score, especially with him being my old boss and all.”

Harry Gregson-Williams reflected on his early career, recalling how he moved to Los Angeles in June 1995 to “learn the ropes” as an assistant to Hans Zimmer. Over the years, Zimmer has remained “very supportive and encouraging” of his protégé’s journey.

During the recording of the Gladiator II soundtrack at Abbey Road Studios in London, Zimmer made a virtual appearance to hear the music being performed. The session featured many musicians who had also contributed to the original score.

“His face appeared up above the orchestra, and we all had a joyful time doing it – that was great,” Gregson-Williams shared with PA.

One standout moment was when the orchestra played the film’s final cue, which included a nod to Zimmer’s iconic original theme. “He was bursting with pride that morning when he appeared virtually in Abbey Road Studio One in front of the orchestra. He’s never shy of a crowd, I can tell you that much,” Gregson-Williams added.

Hans Zimmer made a virtual appearance on the final recording day of concert master Perry Montague-Mason’s career. Remarkably, Montague-Mason’s early work with the London Studio Orchestra included performing the original Gladiator score 25 years earlier.

“It was a full-circle moment that was just a coincidence,” Harry Gregson-Williams remarked.

Discussing the challenges of following in Zimmer’s footsteps, Gregson-Williams acknowledged the weight of taking over such an iconic project. Zimmer’s original score not only earned critical acclaim but also received an Oscar nomination.

“I’ve never done a sequel to a movie that somebody else scored, let alone my ex-boss, and such an iconic, much-loved score as it is,” the 63-year-old composer told PA.

Harry Gregson-Williams admitted that the biggest challenge in composing the Gladiator II score was overcoming his own self-doubt. “Really, the biggest challenge was in my head—a matter of trying to push aside anxiety and feeling vulnerable about the fact that his score is held in such high esteem. How was I possibly going to deliver something myself?” he shared.

Although the pressure was mostly self-imposed, Gregson-Williams said he eventually focused on the task at hand: “To embody the essence of what [Zimmer] played out in the first movie, and what Ridley had done so well with the first movie.”

Encouragement from Hans Zimmer proved pivotal. When Gregson-Williams expressed his hope to do the project justice, Zimmer reassured him, saying, “There is no one better placed to do this than you.”

The effort has already garnered recognition, as the Gladiator II soundtrack was recently named to the Oscars shortlist for Best Original Score. “I’m very happy about that. I’m rather surprised, but I’m very happy,” Gregson-Williams told PA.

The historical epic Gladiator II received two Golden Globe nominations, recognizing Denzel Washington for supporting actor and the film’s box office achievement. However, the score, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, did not receive a nod.

The original Gladiator earned Hans Zimmer the Golden Globe for Best Original Score in 2001, alongside Best Picture for Sir Ridley Scott.

Commenting on the snub, Gregson-Williams told PA: “I’ve been here long enough to know that you can’t sit around expecting to write music in order to catch the attention of whoever the Golden Globe people are, or anybody else. It’s a thrill to work with Ridley Scott on a movie that people really want to see, and that’s the bottom line really – I wasn’t surprised at all.”

Despite the omission, Gregson-Williams expressed gratitude for his career, counting himself “very lucky” to have collaborated with Sir Ridley on numerous films, including The Martian, House of Gucci, and Prometheus, as well as with the director’s late brother, Tony Scott.

Filmmaker Tony Scott tragically died by suicide in Los Angeles in August 2012. Reflecting on their collaboration, Harry Gregson-Williams said, “I was so lucky for him [Tony] to ask me to score a film in 1996 called Enemy of the State. After that, I did Man on Fire, then Spy Game, Domino, The Taking of Pelham 123, Unstoppable, and on and on until the day he died.”

Acknowledging the wealth of talent in the industry, Gregson-Williams added, “I’m very well aware there’s plenty of choice out there. If I think too hard about the composers Ridley has worked with, I probably wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning. We’re talking Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, Vangelis – it’s pretty intimidating.”

He explained his approach to such opportunities: “I’ve learned not to expect anything, and if a call does come, then to jump at the chance and do my level best.”

Gladiator II, featuring Irish actor Paul Mescal, was released in Ireland last month.