Paul McCartney’s Gaumont-Backed Animated Film ‘High in the Clouds’ Sets Director, Writer and More (EXCLUSIVE)

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.

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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.

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