Sir Paul McCartney’s bestselling children’s novel, High in the Clouds, has been acquired by Netflix. The streaming service and Gaumont announced they will be adapting the book from McCartney, Geoff Dunbar, and Philip Ardagh into an animated feature film.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Netflix. They complement what is already an amazing team with Gaumont and we can think of no-one better to be working with to bring our film to a global audience. I’ve always loved animated films and this is a hugely important passion project for me. I can’t wait for the world to see it,” stated Paul McCartney.
Oscar nominee Timothy Reckart (Head Over Heels) is attached to direct. Jon Croker (Paddington, Paddington 2, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) is on board to write the screenplay.
“The development of High in the Clouds has been a fantastic journey working together with Tim and Jon and of course, my amazing Gaumont Animation and Family team, Terry Kalagian and Alex Soto. We feel fortunate as this has been an extremely collaborative creative process with the incomparable Paul McCartney and his team, including Lee Eastman who has offered invaluable guidance throughout the development stage. We at Gaumont are elated to be announcing this project and are excited to be working with Melissa Cobb, Gregg Taylor and the talented team at Netflix to be able to share this truly special musical animated feature film with audiences around the world,” says Nicolas Atlan, President Gaumont Animation and Family.
Paul McCartney will be involved as a producer and is writing the original songs and music. Bob Shaye, the late Michael Lynne, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan, and Gaumont’s Terry Kalagian are also producing.
“Bringing the world a new animated film from the heart and mind of the brilliant Paul McCartney is undoubtedly one of the greatest thrills we’ve experienced at Netflix. We’re beyond grateful to be partnering with Nicolas and the Gaumont team on High in the Clouds, and with Tim at the helm, this whimsical story celebrating individuality and the unifying power of music is in great hands,” says Gregg Taylor, Netflix Director of Original Animated Films.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
“An imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral finds himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds after he accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader (and fabulous singer!), who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.”
