Composer David Fleming on Crafting Marvel’s Wolverine Score
Composer David Fleming explains how he balanced Wolverine’s brutal, feral side with the character’s vulnerability in the score for Marvel’s Wolverine. The interview covers his influences and his first full video-game soundtrack, following work on Widow’s Bay, The Last of Us and other projects. The game’s music is now available on major streaming platforms.
David Fleming’s Marvel’s Wolverine soundtrack is his first complete score for a video game. His prior credits include Widow’s Bay, HBO’s The Last of Us adaptation with Gustavo Santaolalla, James Gunn’s Superman reboot, Donald Glover’s Mr & Mrs Smith, and Blue Planet 2 with Hans Zimmer.
A longtime comics reader who liked Wolverine from childhood, Fleming began with an eight-string tenor mandolin; its opening riff grew into Logan’s Theme. He then went to a Joshua Tree cabin with friends, acoustic guitar, and whiskey, aiming for a dark folk sound shaped by Johnny Cash and Clint Eastwood film music.
The release could draw attention to how game scores blend cinematic and folk influences, potentially expanding audiences for composers working across film, television, and interactive media. Players who connect with Wolverine’s dual nature may find the music reinforces emotional engagement, while streaming availability may let listeners encounter game soundtracks outside play. It may also encourage discussion about how music shapes character identity in superhero games.