Oscars Tap Zimmer, Williams As Music Consultants

Producers said Thursday that Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams will serve as the show’s music consultants. Neither musician has worked on the Oscars before.

Zimmer won an Oscar for the original score for 1994’s “The Lion King.” The 54-year-old composer has another eight nominations for scoring films such as “Inception,” ‘‘Gladiator” and “Rain Man,” among others.

Williams is a rapper and producer who has recorded with Jay-Z, Ludacris, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce. The 38-year-old has won three Grammy Awards.

Oscar telecast producers Don Mischer and Brian Grazer called the pairing of Zimmer and Williams “an exciting and prestigious collaboration.”

The Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 26, 2012.