Zemeckis Hopes to Recruit Beatles for "Yellow Submarine"

As Rolling Stone previously reported, director Robert Zemeckis and Disney brokered a deal that would allow them to re-submerge the Beatles' Yellow Submarine, turning the 1968 animated film into a performance-capture 3-D digital production. What was at first a Hollywood rumor is now a fact as Zemeckis confirmed to MTV Movies Blog that he's already working on the script, which he'll also direct. However, one thing the Back to the Future director doesn't know is whether Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr will participate in the film.

"We haven't gotten the word yet on the two surviving Beatles, whether they're interested in doing it or not," Zemeckis said after admitting his wish is that Macca and Starr provide the voices for their characters. In the original Yellow Submarine, voice actors played the role of the Beatles, with the Fab Four only appearing in a live-action sequence at film's end.

Look back at iconic Beatles moments.

Zemeckis plans to utilize the technology he's previously showcased on films like The Polar Express, Beowulf and this weekend's Disney's A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. "I think Yellow Submarine is a perfect example of a movie that can be re-envisioned in the digital cinema and be absolutely beyond spectacular," Zemeckis told MTV. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers isn't exactly the biggest fan of this type of filmmaking, often arguing that film's live-action transition to digital CGI often leaves the characters with dead, emotionless eyes (see his review of A Christmas Carol).

The Beatles' complete album guide.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Yellow Submarine is eying a 2012 release that will coincide with the Summer Olympic games in London. A musical based on the film may also spawn out of Zemeckis and Disney's deal.

Related Stories:
• Disney, Zemeckis Plot Remake of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine"
• Why the Beatles Broke Up: The New Issue of Rolling Stone

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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