Let's take a look at a year in the life of composer Danny Elfman: he's already crafted scores for Tim Burton's Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie, plus another for Men In Black 3.  He has David O. Russell's upcoming Silver Linings Playbook, plus Fox's animated pic Epic and a reunion with Sam Raimi for Oz The Great and Powerful.  So, what the hell, let's add two more on the list!  Reports have Elfman attached to compose the scores for director Gus Van Sant's Promised Land as well as Sacha Gervasi's biopic, Hitchcock.  Hit the jump for more on both projects. danny-elfman-promised-land-hitchcockThe Playlist (via Film Music Reporter) reports that Elfman will once again team with Van Sant, as he did previously on Milk and Restless.  Promised Land is an environmentally-driven drama penned by stars Matt Damon and John Krasinski, which also stars Hal Holbrook, Rosemarie DeWitt, Frances McDormand and Scoot McNairy.  More good news for Elfman: Focus Features has set a limited release date of December 28th in order to getPromised Landinto awards contention before expanding in January.  Here's the official synopsis:

Mr. Damon plays Steve Butler, a corporate salesman who arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason (Ms. McDormand). With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company’s offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Mr. Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (Mr. Krasinski) who counters Steve both personally and professionally.

As for Gervasi's Hitchcock, Fox Searchlight is also considering giving the film a late 2012 release to qualify for the Oscars.  While that would double the workload for Elfman in the short term, it would also increase his chances at an award nod or, hopefully, his first Academy Award win.  Hitchcock stars Anthony Hopkins as the director, with Scarlett Johannson, Helen Mirren and Jessica Biel supporting.

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