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 (“Head Over Heels,” “The Star”) 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.
“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!), who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.
“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,” McCartney said in a statement.
McCartney wrote “High in the Clouds” along with Geoff Dunbar and Philip Ardagh. Bob Shaye, the late Michael Lynne, McCartney, Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee and Nicolas Atlan are all listed as producers. Terry Kalagian will also produce for Gaumont.
“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,” Nicolas Atlan, president of Gaumont Animation and Family, said in a statement.
“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,” Gregg Taylor, Netflix director of original animated films, said in a statement.