Paul McCartney: High In The Clouds to Netflix

Paul McCartney. Courtesy of Netflix.

Paul McCartney, one of the greatest musicians of all-time, is heading to Netflix for an animated film, High In The Clouds, based on his book.

McCartney co-wrote the children’s adventure novel with with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh.  Oscar-nominated Timothy Reckart will take care of directing duties while Paddington screenwriter Jon Croker will adapt the screenplay.  Netflix and Gaumont are producing the animated 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,” says Paul McCartney.

“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.

“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 logline for the film is as follows:

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.

Bob Shaye, the late Michael Lynne, Paul McCartney, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Nicolas Atlan, and Terry Kalagian will produce the film.

The film will certainly put McCartney in awards contention as Oscar and Grammy winner will be creating, producing, and writing original songs and music for the film.

No release date has been announced.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.