Alex Wurman scores Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

By Patrick Luce Jul 18, 2006, 19:18 GMT

Alex Wurman has reunited with director Adam McKay for the score of the upcoming Sony's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby starring Will Ferrell, and set to open August 4th. 

Talladega Nights:  The Ballad of Ricky Bobby tells the story of NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), a national hero because of his "win at all costs" approach. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo -- "Shake" and "Bake" by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place.

When flamboyant French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) challenges "Shake" and "Bake" for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.

The composer previously collaborated with the director on another Ferrell box-office hit, Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy.  Wurman recently received critical acclaim as well as Oscar buzz for his evocative score for Warner Independent's March of the Penguins.

For the Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby score, Wurman is recording with an 80-piece orchestra and will combine both orchestral motifs as well as jazz into his score.

After studying music at the American Conservatory of music in Chicago, Alex Wurman moved to Los Angeles to pursue film music scoring. Independent films started coming his way, and soon he was working with directors such as John August, Doug Liman and Ron Shelton. 

Wurman's resume reflects the quality and diversity of his talent, boasting films such as Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, Hollywood Homicide, Anchorman and Play It to the Bone.