John Williams says he is open to new projects and 'wouldn’t want to rule anything out'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Williams is a man with an ‘open mind’ and won’t mind reconsidering his retirement.

The five-time Academy Award winner recently told The Times that he will take up the challenge if it fits his timeline for a given project.

John Williams met Steven Spielberg in January 2023 and talked about his plans

Williams said earlier, “At the moment I’m working on ‘Indiana Jones 5,’ which Harrison Ford — who’s quite a bit younger than I am — I think has announced will be his last film. So, I thought: If Harrison can do it, then perhaps I can, also."

“At this point in life, [composing a film score is] a long commitment to me," he added. He even met Steven Spielberg in January 2023 and talked about his plans. They talked about their collaboration for ‘The Fabelmans’ and shared that he may compose the music for Spielberg's film if he gets an offer.

The two have worked on multiple projects over the decades, including ‘Jaws,’ ‘Indiana Jones,’ ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘ET: The Extra Terrestrial,’ ‘Schindler’s List’, and others.

“Well, Steven is a lot of things,” Williams said, adding “He’s a director, he’s a producer, he’s a studio head, he’s a writer, he’s a philanthropist, he’s an educator. One thing he isn’t is a man you can say no to.”

Doubling-down on his retirement statement

In his more recent interview with the outlet, Williams spoke about his retiring plans. “I don’t care much for grand pronunciamentos, statements that are firm and finished and surrounded by closed doors. If I made one without putting it in context then I withdraw it.”

“If a film came along that I was greatly interested in, with a schedule that I could cope with, then I wouldn’t want to rule anything out,” he further said, adding “Everything is possible. All is before us. Only our limitations are holding us back. Or, to put it more simply: I like to keep an open mind.”

Williams' latest work can be seen in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' which premiered last year and is streaming on Disney+. Williams’ music for the fifth 'Indiana Jones' adventure recently made the Oscar cut for best original score.

Nominations for the 2024 Oscars will be made public on January 23.