Before announcing their typically grandiose year-end slate of archival soundtrack titles, there were rumblings in the film score fan community that La-La Land - whose release schedule offered everything from Star Trek to James Bond to the first Steven Spielberg-John Williams collaboration in 2024 - might do things a little differently. It turns out those rumors were correct: ahead of their usual Black Friday blowout, the label has instead announced three titles approved for license from major labels and studios and ready to manufacture for the top of November. All three are sequel films to juggernaut franchises, featuring the handiwork of some of the most acclaimed film composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

For its 50th anniversary, LLL has first teamed with Paramount and Universal Music Group for a definitive 2CD presentation of Nino Rota's score for The Godfather Part II (1974). Francis Ford Coppola's follow-up to his epic adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel expanded the story in two temporal directions: forward to Michael Corleone's expansion of his family's organized crime empire into Nevada and Cuba (the latter against the backdrop of the real-life overthrow of the Batista government), and into the past history of the Corleone family, where a young Vito emigrates from Sicily to New York at the turn of the 20th century. Much of the original film's cast returned, including Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall and John Cazale, and the young Vito (portrayed in the original film by Marlon Brando) was embodied by a young actor named Robert De Niro, fresh off his breakthrough performance in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets a year earlier. Although initial reviews were slightly mixed, Part II today holds a rare distinction as a sequel that can stand to the same heights as its predecessor, and the film took home six Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for De Niro, Best Director for Coppola, and - in an industry first for a sequel - Best Picture.

After the score to the first Godfather was deemed ineligible at the Oscars (with the iconic "Love Theme" concluded as a derivation of an earlier Rota work), Rota's work here - shared with Carmine Coppola, who conducted the score and also penned some of the film's source music - would take home one of those Oscars. This deluxe edition of that score, approved by Coppola and his production company American Zoetrope, follows 2022's 50th anniversary reissue of The Godfather score, offering the score as heard in the film (with material that ultimately wasn't used, either), source cues by Rota and Coppola, alternate takes and a fresh remaster of the original soundtrack album. The 2CD set is limited to 5000 copies and has been produced by Neil S. Bulk and Dan Goldwasser (who also designed the packaging), mixed from the original multitracks by Chris Malone, mastered by Doug Schwartz and featuring new liner notes by Tim Greiving.

From the criminal underworld to an exotic Costa Rican island where the prehistoric roars back to life, La-La Land next completes a restored, remastered and expanded trilogy of scores to the Jurassic Park films with a new 2CD edition of the soundtrack to Jurassic Park III, released in the summer of 2001. Years after the events of Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World (adapted from Michael Crichton's novels for the screen by director Steven Spielberg), the third film featured Jurassic survivor Alan Grant (Sam Neill) getting more than he bargained for when he embarks on a rescue mission gone wrong on Isla Sorna, the sister island from The Lost World. This time, Spielberg vacated the director's chair, serving as executive producer for Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Jumanji director Joe Johnston.

While it was the lowest-grossing of the series, it's not without its B-movie charms, and features a stirring score of its own. When original Jurassic composer John Williams turned out to be unavailable, he nonetheless recommended composer Don Davis, a respected orchestrator who'd later make a successful transition to scoring, breaking through on 1999's The Matrix. Davis honored the legacy of Williams' work by developing new themes that meshed well with his interpretations on the leitmotifs from the original scores. The new reissue features a new mastering of the original soundtrack album (complete with "Big Hat, No Cattle," a diegetic song written and sung by Randy Newman), followed by an expansive score presentation and seven alternate cues. Limited to 3000 copies and licensed from Universal Pictures and Universal Music Group, it was put together by the team of producer/mixer/mastering engineer Mike Matessino and producer/editor Neil S. Bulk (using original film tracks recorded in 24-bit digital stereo). John Takis writes liner notes (including new remarks from Davis) in a package designed by Jim Titus, reprising his eye-catching, updated designs for LLL's expanded editions of Williams' other Jurassic scores.

Finally, one last action sequel score is swinging its way to you from the label: a 20th anniversary, triple-disc presentation of Danny Elfman's score for Spider-Man 2. This 2004 follow-up to the acclaimed first film adventure for Marvel Comics' web-slinging wall-crawler finds Peter Parker (Tobey McGuire) struggling under his hidden alter ego as the city's protector - especially after would-be girlfriend Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) ends up in the arms of another man and his best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco) swears revenge against Spidey for the killing of his father, the evil Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). As if that wasn't enough, New York has a new foe in town: Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), a brilliant scientist turned tragic villain after an accident fuses him to a quartet of mechanical arms, turning him into one of the webhead's best-known foes: Doctor Octopus. Blending comic book pulp and honest pathos, Spider-Man 2 is considered by some to be the best superhero picture ever - and when Marvel Studios started rolling out its multiversal Spider-Man: No Way Home (the seventh film to feature British actor Tom Holland as Spidey), Molina's "Doc Ock" was the first classic supervillain confirmed to return. (Dafoe's Goblin did, too, as did McGuire's older, wiser superhero.)

While fans loved the film, the working relationship between returning director Sam Raimi and composer Danny Elfman took serious damage thanks to a disjointed post-production session. Ultimately, composers John Debney and Christopher Young (who would later score the third Spider-Man film with this creative team in 2007) batted clean-up on the picture, and their eight cues are also featured in a lengthy archival program. (For what it's worth, Elfman and Raimi patched up their differences, collaborating on 2013's Oz: The Great and Powerful and 2022's Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.) The 3CD set opens with the original score album plus bonus Elfman suites from a companion album of rock songs featured in and inspired by the film, continuing with a generous film presentation of the music and 13 alternate cues and mixes. Bulk and Goldwasser again produce this release (with the latter also designing the package), while Schwartz masters the discs and Jeff Bond writes liner notes. It's all limited to 3000 units, licensed from both Sony Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment.

All three sets are available to order now at the links below and begin shipping November 12 - well in time for an early Christmas present for a film score fan!

Nino Rota, The Godfather Part II (Music from the Motion Picture - 50th Anniversary Edition) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1652, 2024 - original film released 1974)

* not used in film ** contains material not used in film

Disc 1

Score presentation

1. Main Title/The Immigrant (Film Version)
2. Anthony's First Communion
3. After the Party (Expanded) *
4. Finding the Man **
5. The Search Continues/Found *
6. Michael and Anthony
7. Vito and Abbandando
8. A New Carpet (Film Version)
9. A Visit to Roth
10. Kay (Film Version)
11. The Little Plane
12. The Godfathers At Home
13. Fredo Brings the Bread */Ola's Death/Roth is Next */Busetta's Death *
14. Fredo's Panic
15. Ninna-Nanna a Michele (feat. Nino Palermo)
16. Intermezzo *
17. The Corleone Estate
18. Michael Comes Home
19. Fredo's Stay of Execution
20. Michael and His Mother
21. The Landlord/We're in Business
22. Remember Vito Andolini (Film Version)
23. The Brothers Mourn **
24. Reflections on Romans/Death of Three
25. New England *
26. End Titles

Nino Rota source cues

27. I've Got a Girl in Reno *
28. Havana
29. Calles de Havana *
30. Intermezzo Pt. II *
31. Clar-i-Notes *
32. The Forties
33. The Forties (Alternate)

Additional material

34. The Search Continues (Wild Take)
35. The Little Plane (Alternate)
36. Ninna-Nanna a Michele (Orchestra Only Excerpt)
37. Ninna-Nanna a Michele (feat. Nino Palermo) (Alternate Ending)
38. The Godfather Epilogue

Disc 2

Original soundtrack album (released as ABC Records ABDP-856, 1974)

1. Main Title/The Immigrant
2. A New Carpet
3. Kay
4. Ev'ry Time I Look in Your Eyes/After the Party
5. Vito and Abbandando
6. Senza Mama (feat. Livio Giorgi)/Ciuri-Ciuri/Napule Ve Salute
7. The Godfathers At Home
8. Remember Vito Andolini
9. Michael Comes Home
10. Marcia Stilo Italiano
11. Ninna-Nanna a Michele (feat. Nino Palermo)
12. The Brothers Mourn
13. Murder of Don Fanucci
14. End Title

Source cues

15. The Fiddler
16. Italian Eyes (Excerpt)
17. Napule Ve Salute (Lassanno Napule) (Extended)
18. Senza Mama (feat. Livio Giorgi) (Extended)
19. My Tropical Love ("La Paloma")
20. Marcha Reale Italiana
21. The Star-Spangled Banner
22. Marcia Religioso (Extended)
23. Marcia Sinfonica *
24. Celeste Aida
25. Godfather's Calypso *
26. Nino Rota Demo Tape

Don Davis, Jurassic Park III (Remastered and Expanded Original Soundtrack) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1653, 2024 - original film released 2001)

Disc 1

Original soundtrack album (released as Decca 440 014 325-2, 2001)

1. Isla Sorna Sailing Situation
2. The Dinosaur Fly-By
3. Cooper's Last Stand
4. The Raptor Room
5. Raptor Repartee
6. Tree People
7. Pteranodon Habitat
8. Tiny Pecking Pteranodons
9. Billy Oblivion
10. Brachiosaurus on the Bank
11. Nash Calling
12. Bone Man Ben
13. Frenzy Fuselage
14. Clash of Extinction
15. The Hat Returns/End Credits
16. Big Hat, No Cattle - Randy Newman

Score presentation

17. Isla Sorna Sailing Situation (Film Version)
18. Dinosaur Man
19. Udesky, Nash and Cooper
20. The Raptor Bone
21. Raptor in the Cabin
22. The Dinosaur Fly-By (Film Version)
23. Cooper's Last Stand (Extended Version)
24. Frenzy Fuselage (Extended Version)
25. Clash of Extinction

Disc 2

Score presentation (continued)

1. Kirby Paint and Tile Plus
2. Bone Man Ben (Film Version)
3. Raptor Eggs
4. The Raptor Room (Film Version)
5. Raptor Repartee (Film Version)
6. Eric to the Rescue
7. Tree People (Film Version)
8. Nash Calling
9. Party Crasher
10. Pteranodon Habitat
11. Tiny Pecking Pteranodons
12. Billy Oblivion (Film Version)
13. Brachiosaurus on the Bank
14. Reaching for Glory
15. River Rampage
16. Paul Makes the Leap
17. River Reminiscence
18. Raptor Harassment
19. The Hat Returns/End Credits (Extended Version)

Additional material

20. Dinosaur Man (Alternate)
21. Raptor in the Cabin (Alternate)
22. Cooper's Last Stand (Alternate)
23. Clash of Extinction (Alternate Opening)
24. River Rampage (Alternate Ending)
25. River Reminiscence (Alternate Ending)
26. Dinosaur Man (with Choir)

Danny Elfman, Spider-Man 2 (20th Anniversary Motion Picture Score) (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1658, 2024 - original film released 2004)

Disc 1

Original score album (released as Columbia CK 92842, 2004)

1. Spider-Man 2 Main Title
2. MJ's New Life/Spidus Interruptus
3. Doc Ock is Born
4. Angry Arms/Rebuilding
5. A Phone Call/The Wrong Kiss/Peter's Birthday
6. The Bank/Saving May
7. The Mugging/Peter's Turmoil
8. Doc Ock's Machine
9. He's Back!
10. Train/Appreciation
11. Aunt May Packs
12. Armageddon/A Really Big Web!
13. The Goblin Returns
14. At Long Last, Love

Bonus tracks (released on Spider-Man 2 (Music from and Inspired By) Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax CK 92628, 2004)

15. Spidey Suite
16. Doc Ock Suite

Disc 2

Score presentation

1. Spider-Man 2 Main Title
2. Pizza Man
3. Book Troubles
4. Riding to May's/Peter's Birthday 0:57
5. Harry Remembers/Responsible One
6. Backyard Revisited
7. Apartment Transition
8. Theatre Montage
9. Cops and Robbers
10. MJ's New Life/Spidus Interruptus (Film Version)
11. Draggin'/A Phone Call
12. The Reveal
13. Blue Light
14. Fusion
15. Mayhem/Aftermath
16. Doc Ock is Born (Film Version)
17. Angry Arms
18. The Bank/Saving May (Film Version)
19. Spider Fall/Rebuilding
20. Uncle Ben
21. Happy Montage
22. Peter Appeals to MJ/Newspaper
23. A Mugging/Spider-Gone
24. Doc Ock's Machine
25. Rooftop Rendezvous
26. The Fire
27. Peter's Turmoil
28. Aunt May Packs
29. Not Back Yet
30. The Wrong Kiss/Almost a Kiss
31. A Hostage
32. He's Back! (Film Version)
33. Train/Appreciation (Extended Version)

Disc 3

Score presentation continued

1. Out for the Count
2. The Trouble with Harry
3. On the Case
4. Armageddon/A Really Big Web! (Film Version
5. The Goblin Returns (Film Version)
6. At Long Last, Love

Additional music (* composed by Richard Wagner)

7. Harry Remembers (Alternate 1)
8. Harry Remembers (Alternate 2)
9. MJ's New Life / Spidus Interruptus (with Alternate Section)
10. A Phone Call (Alternate)
11. The Reveal (Alternate)
12. Doc Ock's Machine (Alternate Mix)
13. Peter's Turmoil (Alternate)
14. He's Back! (Alternate Ending)
15. The Trouble with Harry (Alternate)
16. Armageddon (Alternate)
17. The Goblin Returns (Alternate Mix)
18. Bridal Chorus *
19. At Long Last, Love (Alternate Ending)

Additional score cues (** composed by John Debney † composed by Christopher Young and Danny Elfman)

20. Special Delivery **
21. Open Heart **
22. The Demonstration, Part I †
23. The Demonstration, Part II †
24. The Demonstration, Part III †
25. Cake Girl **
26. Runaway Train, Part I †
27. Runaway Train, Part II †