Convention - SDCC 2025: 11th Musical Anatomy of a Superhero – Simon Franglen on the musical composition of epic worlds

By Mulder, San Diego, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, 24 july 2025

On July 24, 2025, following the acclaimed panel “Musical Anatomy of a Superhero and Other Heroes” at San Diego Comic-Con, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel was transformed into an intimate arena for a press-only roundtable with composer Simon Franglen. Known worldwide for his mastery of creating emotional resonance between music and large-scale cinematic storytelling, Simon Franglen arrived just after the panel to share never-before-heard insights into his creative journey, his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash, and the philosophies that shape his approach to composition. For those in attendance, it was not only an opportunity to ask questions, but also to sit face-to-face with an artist whose career has woven some of the most iconic musical landscapes in modern cinema.

A longtime collaborator and close friend of the late James Horner, Simon Franglen continues a legacy of musical ambition and emotional depth. His extensive career spans both classical and contemporary music, with blockbusters such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Titanic, and Avatar to his credit. He served as the principal arranger and producer on these projects, a role that requires both technical precision and emotional sensitivity. He recalls how his work with James Horner instilled in him the importance of connecting every note of music to a human emotion, a philosophy that has shaped his signature style. This commitment to authenticity has earned him critical acclaim, including the Discovery of the Year award at the World Soundtrack Awards for Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the Hollywood Music in Media Award, an ASCAP Award for Best Original Score, and a nomination for the Ivor Novello Awards.

About Avatar: Fire and Ash, due for release in December 2025, Simon Franglen discussed the intricacies of composing an epic three-hour score that not only complements James Cameron's groundbreaking visuals, but also evolves the theme established in Avatar: The Way of Water. He revealed how this new installment allowed him to explore the emotional growth of the characters while expanding the sound palette with textures inspired by musical traditions from around the world. His collaborations span multiple cultures and continents, from the South Pacific islands and Mongolia to Maori communities, Tunisian malouf ensembles, Rajasthani musicians, and artists from Eritrea. These influences, he explained, are not simply layered on top to add a touch of exoticism, but are woven into the narrative fabric of the soundtrack, so that every sound element has a role to play in the story.

One of the most captivating moments was when Simon Franglen spoke about his dual identity as a composer and producer who has worked in very different genres. He has collaborated with artists such as The Weeknd, Celine Dion, and Toni Braxton, and has also produced British grime artists. This versatility, which allows him to move from one genre to another, has taught him the value of rhythm, texture, and emotional timing, skills that translate directly into film scoring. He recalled the production of the song “My Heart Will Go On,” which won the Grammy Award of the Year, and described how the emotional clarity of that song remains a benchmark for his work.

The conversation also touched on Simon Franglen's expertise in immersive audio, a field in which he is recognized as a leading innovator. He consults for several multinational companies exploring the fusion of music and immersive technologies, and is currently working on major artistic and commercial installations around the world. Speaking to the press, he emphasized that immersive soundscapes are not just technical feats, but tools for immersing audiences in the emotion at the heart of a story. He compared immersive audio composition to “building a three-dimensional world where the listener doesn't just hear the music, but lives it.”

For the journalists in the room, what stood out most was Simon Franglen's combination of technical mastery and human warmth. His stories ranged from anecdotes about working with various musicians to reflections on the discipline required to compose the music for some of the highest-grossing films of all time, three of which bear his name in the credits. By the end of the conversation, it was clear that his music, whether for film, theme park attractions, or global art installations, is characterized by an unwavering commitment to authenticity, cultural respect, and emotional truth. In an age where technology continues to redefine the possibilities of sound, Simon Franglen remains convinced that the beating heart of music will always be the human soul behind it.

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Photos and video: Boris Colletier / Mulderville