Saudi Arabia continues to attract global icons, and this time it’s none other than Hans Zimmer, the legendary composer behind some of the most iconic film scores. The maestro has been invited to reimagine the Kingdom’s national anthem, “Aash Al-Malik” (Long Live the King), originally composed in 1947 by Egyptian musician Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, revealed plans for the collaboration. “We discussed several future projects that I hope will come to fruition soon, including rearranging the Saudi national anthem with different instruments,” he shared.

But this isn’t all. Hans Zimmer’s involvement with Saudi Arabia extends beyond the anthem. He’s also been approached to work on the soundtrack for a film about the Battle of Yarmuk and to create a Saudi-themed musical, titled Arabia. Alalshikh confirmed, “We agreed on the broad outlines of all these projects and are optimistic about finalizing them soon.”

Hailing from Frankfurt, Germany, Hans Zimmer’s journey to musical stardom was unconventional. Despite being dismissed from eight schools and detesting formal piano lessons, he carved out a remarkable career, starting with composing advertising jingles and joining a band.

Over time, he became the head of the film music division at DreamWorks and has since scored over 150 films, earning two Academy Awards along the way.

Zimmer’s compositions are instantly recognizable, with classics like Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai, The Lion King, and Dune among his credits.

The composer is no stranger to the Middle East. After his performance in Riyadh in January, the maestro will be back in the region this spring. For fans in the UAE, he will perform at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on 31 May 2025. You can still get tickets for Hans Zimmer‘s breathtaking concert via Platinumlist.