German musician Hans Zimmer is also exploring other Saudi projects, including a musical, concert and film soundtrack|Curtis Simmons|CC BY-NC 2.0
Oscar-winning music composer Hans Zimmer has reportedly been approached by Saudi Arabia to create a new version of its national anthem, “Aash Al-Malik” (Long Live The King), originally composed in 1947 by Egyptian musician Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb.
Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority chair Turki Alalshikh said the German musician has broadly agreed. He added Zimmer is exploring other Saudi projects, including a musical titled Arabia, a major concert, and the soundtrack for The Battle of Yarmuk, an upcoming film.
It could be an interesting project for Zimmer, who has scored for films including The Lion King, Dune, and almost all of Christopher Nolan’s movies.
The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s sweeping modernization efforts, which include initiatives like the $500 billion NEOM city and hosting the 2034 World Cup, among others.
Critics, however, view these projects as part of a broader campaign to distract from Saudi Arabia’s restrictive policies on free speech, women’s rights and its high execution rate.