Star Wars & Battlefront II: The Zero Company Soundtrack
Gordy Haab stands at the pinnacle of Star Wars musical achievement. With nearly two decades dedicated to composing for the galaxy far, far away, he is arguably the most prolific composer in the franchise, rivaling titans like John Williams. Haab has penned scores for numerous major video games, including The Old Republic, Battlefront I and II, Squadrons, and the recent Jedi titles, Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor.
Now, Haab is diving into new territory with his score for EA and Bit Reactor’s Star Wars: Zero Company. What makes this project particularly compelling is Haab’s transparency about how his vast experience and his relationship with iconic scores shape the new musical landscape.
In an exclusive interview following the game’s release, Haab described the Zero Company score as a true “sequel” to other Clone Wars-era stories. He admitted that when composing for Battlefront II, he felt he was onto something profound. Using that work as a springboard, his goal for Zero Company was to capture the sparkle of the Prequel era while firmly stamping his own distinctive aesthetic on the sound.
Navigating the legacy of Lucasfilm’s musical direction has been an interesting journey. While the initial philosophy encouraged originality, Haab noted that as multiple shows and games developed their own narratives, the boundaries shifted. For projects like Star Wars: Hunters, he utilized a heavier, more orchestral approach, which provided a stark contrast to the darker, more intense atmosphere required for games like Zero Company and the Jedi series.
Despite being associated with legendary figures like John Williams, Haab acknowledged the pressure that comes with such high praise. He found the initial comparisons intimidating, yet he ultimately chose to focus on his own unique voice, famously advising, “Don’t rest on those laurels. Do your thing, get back to work, create your voice within the franchise.”
The process of crafting the Zero Company soundtrack was a deep dive into musical refinement. Haab spent months developing the themes, experimenting with nearly fifteen versions of the main theme before settling on a concise and simple melody that he felt truly worked.
Among the final themes, Haab singled out two pieces as personal favorites. He adored the theme for Hawks, describing it as having a heroic, drifting shape. Equally captivating was the theme for the Plague, which he envisioned as a dark, heavy, and grotesque sound that would texture the music, giving the audience a huge set piece experience.
When looking back at the foundational sounds of the Star Wars films, Haab points to two specific motifs that consistently inspire his work: the powerful Force theme and the Imperial March. These melodic structures, which shaped his early understanding of music, remain essential influences.
For those aspiring to compose within the Star Wars universe, Haab offers clear wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of strong thematic material and the harmonic complexity offered by a full symphonic orchestra. The ultimate formula for great Star Wars music, he concludes, is to honor those foundational elements while allowing complete artistic freedom to paint whatever vision one desires.
Star Wars: Zero Company is now available for players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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