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Paul McCartney will voice a walrus in High In The Clouds, Gaumont Animation’s feature that is currently in production ahead of a 2027 release.

McCartney has been trying to make the adaptation of his book for 15 years; it is now moving forward with Gaumont, which presented stills and artwork from the feature today at Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

High In The Clouds follows Wirral the squirrel, a young creature living with his mother, who has lost her voice due to the devilish dictator Gretch, who has banned all music from their town. Wirral must team with members of a rebellion called the Underground,...

Many Star Trek fans know that Beatles legend Paul McCartney and Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry almost joined forces in the early 1970s for a proposed sci-fi musical project based on a concept by McCartney. It never came to fruition, and any material devoted to it -- such as outlines or script drafts -- has gotten lost in the sands of time. There exists, however, a cool photograph of Roddenberry and McCartney together, smiling as they talked. The 366 Project at the Roddenberry Vault shared the photo publicly in 2016.

Now, fans are set to get an enterprise that will bring together McCartney and members of the Star Trek universe. The production company Gaumont will transform McCartney’s 2005 children’s book, High in the Clouds, on which he collaborated with illustrator Geoff Dunbar and co-writer Philip Ardagh, to the big screen as a 3D animated feature. The film has been in development for more than a decade,...

Gaumont has assembled a starry voice cast for Paul McCartney’s 3D-animated High in the Clouds including Celine Dion, Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Hannah Waddingham, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Fallon, Clemence Poesy, Pom Klementieff and Alain Chabat.

Himesh Patel stars as the film’s main character, a teenage squirrel named Wirral who embarks on an extraordinary journey to set music free after accidentally sparking a revolution against a bossy diva-owl who has banned all music from his town.

The story about the power of family and freedom of expression through music is inspired by the children’s adventure book by McCartney,...

Gold Derby's top news stories for May 5, 2025.

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The biggest stars of Gen Z and the Silent Generation are teaming up for an American hustle. Jenna Ortega and Robert De Niro are set to star in Shutout, from director David O. Russell (The Silver Linings Playbook) and prominent indie producer Black Bear.

Celine Dion, Himesh Patel and Hannah Waddingham will lead the voice cast of “High in the Clouds,” Paul McCartney’s anticipated 3D animated film which Gaumont (“Ballerina”) is producing and repping internationally.

Inspired by the children’s adventure book by Paul McCartney, Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh, “High in the Clouds” will also bring together Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Fallon, Clémence Poésy, Pom Klementieff and Alain Chabat.

Celebrated independent animation filmmaker Toby Genkel (“The Amazing Maurice”) is directing the feature, from a script by Jon Crocker (“Paddington 2”), and production design by Patrick Hanenberger.

Gaumont has already pre-sold “High in the Clouds” to top distributors in major territories, including the U.K. (Sky UK Ltd.), German-speaking territories (Constantin Film), Eastern Europe (Vertical/Monolith/Aqs), Latin America (Imagem), Cis (Mint Films), Middle East (Four Star), South-East Asia/Taiwan/Hk (A Really Good Film), Greece (Tanweer), Portugal (Cinemundo), Israel...

Restarted negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that could mean an end to the actors strike have raised hopes for this year’s American Film Market, which runs Oct. 31-Nov, 5 in Santa Monica. What everyone is hoping for is, in the words of one leading indie producer, that “we can all get back to business.”

Even without a new SAG-AFTRA deal, there is a healthy batch of new titles on offer — a mix of international features and U.S. indie films that have secured interim agreements from the union to begin production. “In the last few days we’ve seen a waterfall of lineups,” says Nadiia Zaionchkovska, Cco of newly-founded Ukraine distributor Green Light Films, which will be making its market debut at this year’s AFM. “Lots of theatrical films, lots either in post or in pre-production, ready to shoot in the first...

Comedian Sandi Toksvig has given fans an update on her health after being admitted to hospital.

The 64-year-old Bake Off presenter was touring Australia when she contracted bronchial pneumonia. She was then taken to hospital for treatment.

Writing on Twitter, Toksvig said: “Thank you to everyone who has sent such kind words while I’ve been unwell. I am now out of hospital and continuing my convalescence in Australia until I’m fit to fly home.

“My undying (literally) thanks to the amazing Australian health service.”

Before being sent to hospital, Toksvig had performed dates in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and had been due to tour New Zealand next week, with dates lined up in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

A previous statement shared on Toksvig’s Twitter account on Saturday (3 December) read: “Due to illness, Sandi has cancelled the New Zealand leg of her tour.

“She has been admitted to...

McCartney created original songs and music for film based on children’s adventure novel he co-wrote.

Netflix has boarded Gaumont’s animated feature adaptation of Paul McCartney’s children novel High In The Clouds revolving around the woodland adventures of a young squirrel.

McCartney co-wrote the 2005 adventure novel with Philip Ardagh and it was illustrated by Geoff Dunbar.

”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,” said McCartney, who has created and produced all the original songs and music for the film.

Netflix has come aboard Sir Paul McCartney’s long-gestating animated film High In The Clouds, which is based on the children’s adventure novel of the same title written by the iconic Beatles musician as well as Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh. The project hails from French company Gaumont, which optioned the book back in 2012 after it had been in development since 2009.

Timothy Reckart, who earned an Oscar nomination for his 2012 animated short Head Over Heels and directed the 2017 animation film The Star, is directing High In The Clouds from a screenplay by Paddington scribe Jon Croker.

It’s a story of an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who 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.

Producers are Bob Shaye,...

Netflix is going to get high high high with its adaptation of “High in the Clouds,” a children’s book written by Paul McCartney, Netflix announced Tuesday.

Netflix is producing an animated feature film based on McCartney’s book “High in the Clouds” first published in 2005. Netflix will produce along with Gaumont, which originally optioned the book back in 2017.

Timothy Reckart is directing from a screenplay by Jon Croker, who wrote both of the “Paddington” films. McCartney himself will also produce and provide original songs and music for the movie.

Also Read: Watch Rihanna and Paul McCartney's 'How Are You on My Flight?' Midair Reunion (Video)

“High in the Clouds” is the story of an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who 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!

Paul McCartney is collaborating with Netflix and Gaumont on the animated feature “High in the Clouds,” based on the children’s novel he wrote with Geoff Dunbar, and Philip Ardagh.

McCartney is producing and contributing songs to the film, which centers on an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who find himself pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds. He accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.

Timothy Reckart is directing from a script by Jon Croker, who has credits on the Paddington movies and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Besides McCartney, the producers include Bob Shaye (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), the late Michael Lynne, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan and Terry Kalagian (Gaumont).

“High in the Clouds” was published in 2005. McCartney set the project up with Shaye and Lynne...

A film adaptation of Paul McCartney’s children’s novel, High in the Clouds, is headed to Netflix.

Per a statement, High in the Clouds tells the story of a teenage squirrel named Wirral who 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.” A release date has yet to be announced.

McCartney, co-author Philip Ardagh and illustrator Geoff Dunbar published...

Paul McCartney is teaming with Netflix and Gaumont on an animated feature based on the musician's own children's novel High in the Clouds. 

Written by McCartney together with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh and first published in 2005, High in the Clouds follows an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who 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.

McCartney is producing and contributing songs to the feature, which ...

Paul McCartney is teaming with Netflix and Gaumont on an animated feature based on the musician's own children's novel High in the Clouds. 

Written by McCartney together with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh and first published in 2005, High in the Clouds follows an imaginative teenage squirrel named Wirral who 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.

McCartney is producing and contributing songs to the feature, which ...

Gaumont has appointed Courtney Arumugam, a former executive at The Bright Agency, to the post of creative development of animation & family, as it aims to ramp up its presence in the U.K. and beyond. Gaumont opened a London office last year.

Under the helm of Nicolas Atlan, the president of Gaumont’s animation & family, the company is pursuing its strategy to expand the development and production of kids content in key countries throughout Europe.

Prior to joining Gaumont, Arumugam worked at the UK-based literary and illustration company The Bright Agency where she served as senior creative executive and headed the banner’s newly launched in-house film and TV division. Arumugan also spent several years at Mattel where she developed animated and live action content based on original and existing IP.

“Courtney (Arumugam) is a great addition to our team, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge across development, animation...

Gaumont said today that it has promoted Tim Stephen to Head of U.S. Business and Legal Affairs, based in its Los Angeles office. His responsibilities encompass the TV, animation and distribution divisions.

Since joining the company as SVP U.S. Business and Legal Affairs in October 2014, Stephen has worked on projects including Netflix’s Narcos, F Is for Family and Hemlock Grove; NBC’s Hannibal; and High in the Clouds, an animated feature in development based on the book by Paul McCartney and Philip Ardagh.

“Tim has proven to be an invaluable member of our team with his broad-ranging experience across all entertainment-industry disciplines, including business and legal affairs, television development and production, and international co-financing,” said Gaumont Vice CEO Christophe Riandee, to whom Stephen will report. “He is respected for his inclusive leadership style and focused approach to problem-solving, and is fully deserving of this promotion.”

Before joining Gaumont,...

Paul McCartney’s children’s book, High In The Clouds, is being made into an animated feature. The 2005 book (which the Beatle co-wrote with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh) follows Wirral The Squirrel as he’s driven from his peaceful woodland home by developers and animal haters, then embarks on a quest to find Animalia, a legendary land where he can live without fear. He’s accompanied on his trip by Froggo the hot-air-ballooning frog, red squirrel Wilhamina, and “streetwise rodent” Ratsy. Over the course of the trip, Wirral’s quest turns into not just something he wants to ...

Rgh Entertainment and Unique Features will make an animated movie out of Paul McCartney’s children’s novel “High in the Clouds,” the two companies said Monday. Tony Bancroft will direct the movie from a script by Josh Klausner, who adapted the book McCartney wrote with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh. It chronicles a squirrel’s quest to find Animalia, an animal sanctuary. See video: Paul McCartney Has Nightmares About Playing With The Beatles “Sir Paul McCartney is a masterful storyteller whose lyrics and music have captured our imaginations for over half a century,” executive producer David Corbett said in a statement.

Rubicon Holding Group subsidiary Rgh Entertainment is partnering with Michael Lynne and Bob Shaye’s Unique Features on an adaptation of Paul McCartney’s book High In The Clouds.

The 3D CGI story centres on a squirrel’s quest to discover the fabled animal sanctuary Animalia.

McCartney will compose original songs for the film and Tony Bancroft will direct from Josh Klausner’s adapted screenplay.

Lynne and Shaye are producing with Rgh’s Randa Ayoubi and David Corbett on board as executive producers. The producers have targeted a 2015 release.

McCartney co-wrote High In The Clouds with by McCartney, Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh.