‘Thunder Force’: Director Ben Falcone On The Movie’s Music

In “Thunder Force,” Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer star in the new Netflix film as two childhood best friends who reunite as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo. The film marks McCarthy’s fifth collaboration with husband Ben Falcone, who wrote and directed the film, and her first with longtime friend Spencer. Falcone shared facts about the soundtrack which features the music of Glenn Frey and more.

“Thunder Force” composer Fil Eisler was “heavily” inspired by the hard rock and metal band t-shirts Lydia wears throughout the film. “He loved the direction of going metal and he knows those people,” notes the movie’s director Ben Falcone. “He was like, ‘She’s wearing an Anthrax shirt. Should I call the guitar player from Anthrax? And what about the drummer from Slayer?’” The result is a who’s who of rock luminaries on the film’s soundtrack including Scott Ian of Anthrax, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, and Corey Taylor from Slipknot, who together perform the closing credits theme song. “We actually had just a male vocal for the ending song, and I said, ‘I love it. But can we make it a duet?’ And Fil said, ‘Oh, I have just the woman.’” Eisler put out the call to Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale. Says Falcone, “That was when the song really jelled.”

The film also features two pieces of music by late Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, included with the blessing of his estate. Says Falcone, “They knew that we were doing it out of love, so they were into it.”

“Thunder Force” is now streaming on Netflix.