Thomas Newman confirmed as new Bond composer

Thomas Newman will score the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall, executive producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have announced.

The film sees the award winning composer from Los Angeles reunited with director Sam Mendes. The pair have collaborated with each other very successfuly in the past, with Newman scoring four of the the director's movies - American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead and Revolutionary Road.

Said Newman yesterday, “I’m incredibly excited to be working with Sam again. It’s a real thrill to be able to collaborate on something as special as a Bond movie.”

Newman takes over musical duties from David Arnold who is currently Music Director of the London Olympic and Paralympic closing ceremonies. David will continue to be involved with the 50th anniversary of Bond and recently produced the John Barry Memorial Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Said Arnold of the news: “I’m a huge fan of Thomas Newman so I am as excited as anyone to see where Sam Mendes and his team take James Bond on his 50th anniversary.”

Skyfall is due to be released in October 2012.