Paul’s “High In The Clouds” animated film scheduled for 2026

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From Paul McCartney’s ‘High in the Clouds’ Film Finds Director, Writer (variety.com), October 26, 2023:

Paul McCartney and Gaumont have assembled an all-star creative crew for “High in the Clouds,” the long-awaited feature adaptation of McCartney’s children’s adventure novel.

Boasting six original songs by McCartney, the family adventure movie, which is budgeted at €28 million, will be directed by Toby Genkel (“The Amazing Maurice”), scored by Michael Giacchino (“Coco,” “Inside Out”) and penned by Jon Croker (“Paddington 2”), with Patrick Hanenberger (“The Croods,” “The Lego Movie 2”) tapped as production designer. McCartney will voice one of the main characters. Two other major music stars are in advanced talks to come on board.

Production will begin during the first quarter of 2024 and delivery is expected for the first quarter of 2026. Gaumont is producing with McCartney via his banner MPL Communications.

The English-language feature follows the journey of a headstrong teenage squirrel, Wirral, who lives in Gretschville, a city where music has been banned by a diva-owl, Gretsch, who wants to be the only singer in town. Determined to overthrow Gretsch and bring music back to his town, Wirral joins forces with an underground band of legendary musicians who hide high in the clouds, in a secret place called Harmonia.

“High in the Clouds” is a passion project for McCartney, who penned the children’s book in 2005. The feature project is believed to be one of the biggest and most prestigious animated features being produced independently in Europe, without the involvement of a U.S. studios.

Gaumont, whose team is spearheaded by Alexis Cassanet, will introduce “High in the Clouds” to buyers at the AFM with a sizzle reel. On top of co-producing and handling international sales on the movie, the venerable French studio will also distribute “High in the Clouds” in France.

While it produces a large volume of animated content for streamers, Gaumont rarely ventures into theatrical animated features. The company previously co-produced and handled “Ballerina,” which was a major box office hit in France and overseas in 2017.

From Paul McCartney’s ‘High in the Clouds’ Soars to the Big Screen with Gaumont | Animation Magazine, October 26, 2023:

Gaumont is launching presales for High in the Clouds at the upcoming American Film Market (AFM), where a sizzle reel including some music demos from Paul McCartney will be revealed. The 3D animated film is set in a world of animals, and tells a timeless story about family, freedom and musical expression.

The movie is a loose adaptation of the children’s adventure book by McCartney, Geoff Dunbar and Phlip Ardagh. Former Beatles member McCartney is the writer and composer of the Film’s original soundtrack and also serves as a producer on the project.

“I am very excited to fly High in the Clouds with Gaumont and to team up with our stupendous creative team,” said writer/producer/composer McCartney.

Synopsis: After he accidentally sparked a revolution against Gretsch, the bossy diva-owl who has banned all music from his town, a teenage squirrel named Wirral embarks on an extraordinary journey to set music free.

The animated adaptation is directed by Toby Genkel (The Amazing Maurice) from a screenplay by Jon Croker (Paddington 2; Oscar-winning short The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) with designs by Patrick Hanenberger (The LEGO Movie Part 2, Rise of the Guardians). McCartney crafted the film’s soundtrack in collaboration with Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning composer Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille, Up, Inside Out, Coco).

High in the Clouds is produced by McCartney (MPL Communications), Robert Shaye (Unique Features) and by Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan and Terry Kalagian for Gaumont.

“We are thrilled to bring the vision of Paul McCartney to the big screen,” said Dumas, Gaumont’s CEO. “This is a great opportunity for Gaumont, our animation team and independent distributors to work on a timeless animated movie for the whole family.”

Last updated on October 28, 2023