Titles of films John Barry was alleged to be scoring in the past, but that did not happen or scores were replaced. Several titles may have been be mere speculation at the time and hold no truth whatsoever.
Travels with Charlie
Barry bought the rights and planned to act as composer/producer with segments to be directed by people like Kevin C. I seem to recall that Jim Wilson might have been a co-producer? Not sure! Barry publicised this quite a lot in the sweep of post-Dances popularity but (obviously) it never arrived.
The Jam
Barry bought the rights and planned to act as composer/producer.
2004
The Incredibles
Worked on this for some time but apparently the studio did not agree with his take. There seems to have been a misunderstanding as director Brad Bird hired him on the basis that he would write a score which was a pastiche of his James Bond scores. Barry had no intention of scoring it that way and even his trailer music was replaced by a real Bond theme - OHMSS! They could not agree and Barry left.
Composer: Michael Giacchino
2000
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Barry was initially very enthusiastic about this (his son was a big fan of the stories) and wrote several songs with Don Black. However, he eventually decided the film was not going the way he had envisaged and left.
Composer: Hummie Mann
1999
Tom's Midnight Garden
Director Willard Carroll wanted Barry (him being a big fan), made one phone call just to check out availability but there was never any discussion beyond that.
Composer: Debbie Wiseman
1999
Goodbye Lover
Wrote and recorded full score. However, the film's writer, Ron Peer, who was delighted that John was the composer, believes he did not want to "lighten" his score in certain places as required by the director during the editing process. Hence John Ottman was brought in to write a replacement score. It's worth noting that actress Ellen DeGeneres claimed that test audiences reacted badly to the film originally ending with her character being killed, so she was called back to re-shoot the ending.
Composer: John Ottman
1999
The End Of The Affair
Wrote demo theme, presumably rejected. It's now a track on Eternal Echoes.
Composer: Michael Nyman
1998
The Horse Whisperer
Wrote and recorded several demo themes but disagreements with director Robert Redford led to him leaving the project. He did not compose and record a complete score, as has been suggested.
Composer: Thomas Newman
1998
Ever After
Wrote a theme as a demo, which was rejected.
Composer: George Fenton
1998
Seven Years in Tibet
Hhad conversations with director but never signed.
Composer: John Williams
1998
Bliss
Barry recorded some violin pieces that were played on set while filming, but a scheduling problem led to him being unable to do the score in the end.
Composer: Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
1997
Tomorrow Never Dies
Wanted proper fee, full creative control (the song), both of which he was refused.
Composer: David Arnold
1996
The English Patient
Was approached but refused.
1996
The Juror
"I met with the director, Brian Gibson, and told him how I work. I would give him themes, and then I go off and work, and then go to Los Angeles, he's finished shooting, we spot the movie. I did a few things which he really liked a lot, and which Columbia liked. Then he said, "Well, what about the rest of the music?" and I said, "What about the rest of the music?" He said, "I want to hear it." I said, "This is not an audition, Brian. This is your second movie. If there's anything at the end of the day that you don't like, then we have a little session."
Composer: James Newton Howard
If you wish to send an email, for example with content for the website, please contact Geoff Leonard:
Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Location
Bristol, UK
Geoff (owner) and Ruud (webmaster) have been running the John Barry website since June 18, 2001.
This website is not endorsed by the composer's family.
Use of copyrighted materials and logos are for promotional purposes only.
All files on this website are for personal use only and cannot be bought or sold.
Geoff Leonard writes CD booklet notes, articles, and occasionally books, in partnership with Pete Walker. You can read more about this here: