Award-winning composer Christopher Lennertz scores Identity Thief, the new Aggregate Films/Universal Pictures crime comedy in theatres nationwide Friday, February 8, 2013. Identity Thief marks Lennertz's second collaboration with director Seth Gordon; they previously worked together on Horrible Bosses. The film stars Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids). Lennertz recorded the majority of the music for Identity Thief at his new state-of-the-art recording facility—Sonic Fuel Studios—in El Segundo, CA. Lennertz reteamed with several Horrible Bosses musicians including Jane's Addiction Bassist Chris Chaney; Earth, Wind and Fire Keyboardist and Music Director Myron McKinley; and Beastie Boys Keyboardist Money Mark. Lennertz also recorded with a full orchestra at Warner Bros. legendary Eastwood Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, CA.
Identity Thief follows the misadventures of Sandy Patterson (Bateman), a mild-mannered Denver businessman whose identity is stolen by a feisty and formidable woman named Diana (Melissa McCarthy). When Sandy takes matters into his own hands, traveling to Miami to bring Diana to justice, he ends up involved in a more challenging encounter than he ever bargained for. Christopher Lennertz stated, "The film is very emotional throughout therefore musically a lot needed to be accomplished especially for Melissa [McCarthy]. Similar to Bosses, Seth wanted to put together an all-star band for the score incorporating instruments including organ, harmonica, slide guitar, wurlitzer, and electric piano. For McCarthy, I wrote a theme heavily influenced with R&B that plays with her sassiness but then transitions as she does in the film."
Christopher Lennertz is an award-winning composer for film, television and video games. Lennertz's success ranges from scoring star-studded comedies including the recent box office hits Think Like a Man and Horrible Bosses to family films including Alvin and the Chipmunks and Hop. Lennertz's recent television credits include NBC's new series Revolution and the 8th consecutive season of the CW hit series Supernatural. In the video game world, Christopher Lennertz's credits include the finale installment of Mass Effect 3 and the finale installment of Starhawk. Other video game credits include Medal of Honor, the James Bond: 007 series, and Gun. Lennertz's accolades include BMI Film Awards, two Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awards for Best Original Score, and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music for a Series for Supernatural.