The last we heard from UK electronic duo Underworld, the pair had partnered up with British director Danny Boyle for a stage revival of Frankenstein, but it looks as if all three men have a much bigger project ahead of themselves: the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Earlier this morning (December 7), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) revealed that Underworld (aka Rick Smith and Karl Hyde) will team up once again with Boyle to present the three-hour ceremony, which takes place July 27. According to the filmmaker behind such films as Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, the decision has now driven the project into overdrive.
"Appointing Underworld to direct the music in the Olympic Opening Ceremony is the final piece of the jigsaw for the team of leading British creatives who will deliver the ceremonies," he said in a statement, adding that the "Born Slippy" makers bring more than just electronica-tinged tunes to the table. "What's interesting about working with them is how much broader their taste is than you might imagine. With Frankenstein, we really saw how far we could take a broader approach than we'd used together on the films."
While past opening ceremonies really pushed the envelope with elaborate stage set-ups, choreographed routines and special effects (remember Beijing?), Underworld are hoping that their score will be just as awe-inducing.
"We want to leave people with a musical memory of the show rather than a purely visual one," Hyde said. "It's a great honour to be asked to do this and one we're taking very seriously -- it's certainly not something we'll get the chance to do again."
Earlier this morning (December 7), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) revealed that Underworld (aka Rick Smith and Karl Hyde) will team up once again with Boyle to present the three-hour ceremony, which takes place July 27. According to the filmmaker behind such films as Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, the decision has now driven the project into overdrive.
"Appointing Underworld to direct the music in the Olympic Opening Ceremony is the final piece of the jigsaw for the team of leading British creatives who will deliver the ceremonies," he said in a statement, adding that the "Born Slippy" makers bring more than just electronica-tinged tunes to the table. "What's interesting about working with them is how much broader their taste is than you might imagine. With Frankenstein, we really saw how far we could take a broader approach than we'd used together on the films."
While past opening ceremonies really pushed the envelope with elaborate stage set-ups, choreographed routines and special effects (remember Beijing?), Underworld are hoping that their score will be just as awe-inducing.
"We want to leave people with a musical memory of the show rather than a purely visual one," Hyde said. "It's a great honour to be asked to do this and one we're taking very seriously -- it's certainly not something we'll get the chance to do again."
