It's "all together now" for the cast of Robert Zemeckis' upcoming Beatles feature.
Cary Elwes, Dean Lennox Kelly, Peter Serafinowicz and Adam Campbell are in negotiations to portray the members of the band in "Yellow Submarine," which the director is remaking for Disney.
The original 1968 animated movie was based on the music by the Beatles and featured a storyline wherein a soldier called Old Fred meets up with the Beatles and travels in a yellow submersible to Pepperland. Among the group's encounters are the music-hating Blue Meanies.
As with his recently released "A Christmas Carol," Zemeckis is making the movie using 3D performance-capture technology. The helmer, who also wrote the screenplay, is producing with his Imagemovers Digital partners Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey.
The Beatles tribute band the Fab Four will be motion-captured as the ensemble for the musical performance sequences though -- since actual Beatles music will be utilized (licensed from Sony/ATV and EMI-Capitol Records) -- they won't actually be performing the 16 songs used in the movie.
Kelly, a British actor who is currently on the BBC's "Robin Hood" series, is portraying John Lennon.
Serafinowicz, repped by UTA and Troika in the U.K. and Principato/Young, appeared in "Shaun of the Dead" and in "Couples Retreat." He plays Paul McCartney.
Elwes, who worked with Zemeckis on "A Christmas Carol" and is in the upcoming "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn," will play George Harrison. Elwes is repped by APA and Kritzer Levine Wilkins Griffin Entertainment.
Campbell will be Ringo Starr. His credits include "Epic Movie" and "Date Movie," and he will be seen on NBC's miniseries "Day One." He is repped by ICM and Mary Putnam Greene.
Robert Zemeckis just can't get enough of his 3D motion capture, and clearly no film or concept will elude his grasp. According to Variety, Zemeckis and Disney are in the middle of a complicated deal that will allow them to remake the Beatles' psychedelic cartoon Yellow Submarine.
Posted by: R4i 软件 | January 11, 2010 at 09:39 PM
I can't imagine thinking any of these guys as the Beatles. This guy looks right though.
http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/gabe-sundays-john-lennon-yellow-submarine-audition-tape/
Posted by: sherlockjr | January 11, 2010 at 09:59 PM
It's one thing to make a new G.I. Joe movie - that started out to promote the action figures anyway. Still another thing to make the hundredth adaptation of a literary chestnut like Christmas Carol, "reboot" a franchise a la Star Trek or repurpose Beatles songs like in Across the Universe. But THIS idea sounds like it was come up with according to the logic of, "well, I know better than the Beatles what Yellow Submarine ought to be like." If you're enthusiastic about the original, you should just tell people to see that instead of egotripping all over somebody else's work.
Posted by: Andrew | January 12, 2010 at 06:39 AM
Why you tripping?
Posted by: Bob | January 12, 2010 at 07:42 AM
This movie should never be remade; it will never be as good as the original.
Posted by: Andrea Matheson | January 12, 2010 at 07:43 AM
Of course the original is currently out of print...
Posted by: JeremyMeyers | January 12, 2010 at 07:45 AM
Bob Zemeckis NEEDS to stop doing these motion capture movies, he's milked the cows dry.
Posted by: Taylor C | January 12, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Poor, sweet Wesley. What have you done.
Posted by: C3Pio | January 12, 2010 at 10:49 AM
who thought this would be a good idea D:
Posted by: ashlee | January 12, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Why not cast Demetri Martin as Ringo? Come on! A blonde?! And WHY is Cary Elwes supposed to be George? Don't the words dark and intense (Cary's neither) mean anything?!
Posted by: percy | January 12, 2010 at 01:07 PM
A pathetic idea. The Beatles actually didn't have much to do with the original, soundtrack aside ... it's not even their voices. But it's still a great work of animation.
Can't he think of a good original idea for a film?
Posted by: sandman | January 12, 2010 at 01:39 PM
This entire movie sucks. No one should try to remake ANYTHING of The Beatles.
Posted by: Tammy | January 12, 2010 at 02:29 PM
Ummm... using live performers and motion capture, how is this going to be a 'remake' of a great ANIMATED feature?
Posted by: Tooner | January 12, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Zemeckis should remake "Magical Mystery Tour" instead
Posted by: jack | January 12, 2010 at 04:29 PM
I think well enough ..should be left alone.
The original was unique and remains that way. No remake will ever be better or interest any true beatles fans.
Posted by: EDWARD RAGOSTA | January 12, 2010 at 04:47 PM
No. Just no.
Posted by: nako | January 12, 2010 at 05:05 PM
Zemeckis should keep totally out of this and let Apple records remake the film. If the two remaining Beatles want this film made then they should do it including the voices. Your messing with a classic film and just because we have all this new annimation tech does not give anyone the right to go screwing with it. As far as Sandmans comments go Sandman your just mad because you will never ever have millions of females screaming after you and wanting to be with you like the Beatles did. Besides that they make more money now than you ever will.
Posted by: Republic Rebel Scum | January 12, 2010 at 05:24 PM
British Export should be used for the motion-capturing musical performance sequences. And Jim 'Ringo' Martin is revered as the #1 Ringo tribute artist (actor) out there. Check out www.britishexport.com and/or YouTube search under Yellow Submarine.
Posted by: Laura | January 12, 2010 at 05:44 PM
This is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
This motion capture crap is just that, lame crap! Why is Bob Z so seemingly frightened of live action? Why the obsession with mo-cap? This is utterly absurd, what a freaking joke.
It shouldn't be remade period. However, if someone was to take a gander at a remake, how about giving Wes Anderson a shot. He seems to have a keener eye, far more inventive & creative that Bob Z will ever hope to be.
I'm so disgusted. Why? Why? Why?
Posted by: Birdienumnums | January 12, 2010 at 06:24 PM