Sound Of Cinema - 473. The Death Of The Superhero

SOUND OF CINEMA - 473. THE DEATH OF THE SUPERHERO (320kbs-m4a/134mb/58mins)
BBC Radio 3 broadcast: 19th July 2025

As new 'Superman' and 'Fantastic Four' films are released, Matthew Sweet asks if the Superhero cycle, having dominated cinema so long, has reached its end; and what role do superhero movies have when the post world war order that the superhero embodied is breaking apart?

Matthew's chosen soundtracks include music from the new Superman film, Batman, The Avengers, Spiderman and Thor.

Neal Hefti - Batman TV Series (1966) - Batman Theme [20th Century Fox]
John Williams - Superman (1978) - Main Title & Love Theme [Varèse Sarabande]
Hans Zimmer - Man Of Steel (2018) - What Are You Going To Do When You Are Not Saving the World? [WaterTower Music]
David Fleming - Superman (2025) - Home [Troll Court / WaterTower Music]
Patrick Doyle - Thor (2011) - Frost Giant Battle [Buena Vista]
Alan Silvestri - The Avengers (2012) - Main Theme [Hollywood]
Henry Jackman - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - Taking A Stand [Hollywood]
Daniel Pemberton - Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (2018) - For The Love Of MJ / Saying Goodbye / The Amazing Spiderman [Sony Classical]
Pinar Toprak - Captain Marvel (2019) - This Isn't Goodbye / Captain Marvel [Hollywood]
Laura Karpman - Captain America: Brave New World (2025) - The Island / One Down [Hollywood]
Michael Giacchino - Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) - Main Theme [Hollywood]