It's a long way from "Drop It Like It's Hot" to the Academy Awards, but Pharrell Williams is about to make that fantastic voyage. The acclaimed hip-hop/pop producer and N*E*R*D band leader has been tapped to be a musical consultant for the upcoming 84th Academy Awards telecast.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, first-timer Williams will be in good company when he cooks up musical cues for the show, as Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has also been asked to work on the broadcast by recently installed producer Brian Grazer.
Zimmer has composed music for more than 100 movies, including "Gladiator," "Pearl Harbor," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, Christopher Nolan's "Batman" movies, "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Rango" and "The Lion King," for which he won an Oscar. Williams has written songs for a number of movies, including "Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Despicable Me."
"Hans is one of the most accomplished and creative film composers of our time, and Pharrell is a phenomenal songwriter with an amazing list of credits," said Grazer and show co-producer Don Mischer in a statement. "This is an exciting and prestigious collaboration that promises to take the audience on a musical journey."
The two music men join a telecast that has already garnered its share of attention due to the departure of original newbie producer Brett Ratner last month after the "Tower Heist" director was criticized for using a gay slur at a movie screening and speaking in frank terms about his sexual proclivities on Howard Stern's satellite radio show. Ratner was quickly followed by his hand-picked show host, comedian Eddie Murphy, who was swiftly replaced by Oscar veteran Billy Crystal.
The 84th Academy Awards will take place on February 26, 2012.
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