Muse replaced by Massive Attack for Clash of the Titans soundtrack

Just last week, the rock band’s lead singer and guitarist, Matt Bellamy told the Daily Star of the Devon three-piece’s involvement in the movie’s soundtrack. “It’s something we’re up for doing – it’s just a case of timing because we’re always on tour, " he explained. " Clash of the Titans is the first interesting offer we’ve had for film work,” he adds. “We’re definitely interested in writing for films at some point when we get a break from being on the road.”

Leterrier confirms that it was this commitment to touring that saw Bellamy bow out of the movie biz this time around, but clarifies, “It was not Muse ever, it was Matt Bellamy.” Continuing: "I love Muse, I’m the biggest Muse fan ever, but I wanted something a little different. [Matt] wrote a lot of stuff, but he started his tour. So not so long ago, he called me and he was like “Louis, I’m so sorry. I have to be respectful to my audience and professional and I have to stop on Clash.”"

Thankfully, Bellamy wasn’t the only one working on the soundtrack (which could have meant a serious delay to the film’s scheduled 26th March release date), with seasoned film composer, Craig Armstrong (Moulin Rouge! Elizabeth: The Golden Age) also helping out. “It was too big of a score,” Leterrier explains of this two-man job. “Craig Armstrong, who did my The Incredible Hulk score – Craig, he was going to write the score and Matt Bellamy was going to come in and do… maybe 30 minutes of music.”

And now filling Matt’s spot on the project is Neil Davidge from electro music outfit, Massive Attack. “Craig Armstrong is still doing the score and I called my friend Neil Davidge from Massive Attack to replace Matt for the areas that Matt was doing,” says the French helmer. “So it’ll be Craig Armstrong and Massive Attack, which is pretty exciting.”

It sure is and perhaps a better fit, Davidge having more experience in recording for cinema with the scores for Push, Bullet Boy and Unleashed (the latter, Leterrier’s debut behind the camera) among others under his belt. But what of the music Bellamy did write? “On my computer I’ve got great Matt Bellamy stuff,” notes the director on the unused material. “It’s like a rain check, like let’s do something later.”

Yes please! And better start scheduling some time for it soon before Muse start their next tour.

[via MTV Movies Blog]