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Zemeckis Hopes to Recruit Beatles for “Yellow Submarine”

11/6/09, 2:52 pm EST

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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Comments

Anonymous | 11/6/2009, 3:39 pm EST

I’m so sick of Robert Zemeckis’ performance capture/animation crap. Didn’t like Polar Express.
Didn’t like Beowolf.
And A Christmas Carol, looks like crap too.

He used to be such a talented director. And now his career sucks.

Please leave the original Yellow Submarine alone. It was fine as is. No need for a remake. Thanks.

CrystalSpyder4 | 11/6/2009, 4:51 pm EST

The original Yellow Submarine is an untouchable classic. Most acclaimed animation films made today don’t have a fraction of the visuals, humor, imagination, etc. present in that film. All Zemeckis can possibly do is suck out the heart and soul by attempting to create a big-budget CGI version.

Leave well enough alone. Remakes almost always suck. Don’t screw with the legend.

Joe Puma | 11/6/2009, 6:21 pm EST

It’s one hell of a risky venture to try and top the original “Yellow”,but if they do they should try to entice Paul, Ringo,Julian or Sean Lennon(or both) and Dhani Harrison to do the voice work for the film.Maybe modern technology will make it even more wild and vivid,but Zemekis and Co. better have a good plan in place or they’ll be flirting with flopdom.

anonynomous | 11/6/2009, 6:47 pm EST

Kaching-does Zemeckis have any sense of art, or is it all Money driven?

Jungleland2 | 11/7/2009, 2:06 pm EST

Love The Beatles, Love Yellow Submarine, absolutely zero interest in a remake. What happened to original ideas?

Nate | 11/7/2009, 11:10 pm EST

This is a travesty waiting to happen.

John Frum | 11/8/2009, 3:36 am EST

Check the boringly amusing cynicism. What kind of comment is “leave the original alone” or “don’t screw with the legend”? How could a remake possibly degrade the original film? If anything, it can only illustrate how brilliant it was–if indeed it was brilliant–and entice a new, unaware generation to enjoy it. Unplug the sphincter and chillax.

groupw | 11/8/2009, 12:41 pm EST

>> Zemekis and Co. better have a good plan in place or they’ll be flirting with flopdom.

……. true, but the possible ‘flopdom’ of a CGI Submarine will do nothing to diminish the fabulosity of the acid imagery in the animated classic ….
….. we ALL live in a Yellow Submarine !

Don | 11/8/2009, 3:24 pm EST

is nothing sacred?

Annoyed | 11/8/2009, 3:48 pm EST

I’m so upset about this, Disney will ruin it.

BOKO | 11/8/2009, 7:23 pm EST

Oh give it up Zemeckis. Nobody cares, least of all about Yellow Submarine.

WhoLikesThis? | 11/8/2009, 9:58 pm EST

I’m not overly fond of the original film, but I really don’t see anyone enjoying this CG stuff Zemeckis is doing.

disbot 3000 | 11/9/2009, 9:54 am EST

Guess what? “A Christmas Carol” is #1 at the box office this week. I haven’t seen it and don’t really plan to, but I guess you can’t argue that there’s no money in this “CG stuff”.

And Bob Z, PLEASE leave Yellow Submarine alone. It’s good enough already.

krejami | 11/9/2009, 1:52 pm EST

This sounds like a great idea! Whoopppeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

brywool | 11/9/2009, 3:10 pm EST

This would be good if the people that did the Beatles RockBand Opening Cinematic did this. I don’t want to see it look like Christmas Carol or The Polar Express- BLECH. HORRIBLE.

Either get Pixar to do it or the peeps that did Beatles Rockband. That opening Cinematic piece (especially towards the end) is one of THE coolest pieces of animation ever. Look for it on Youtube if you haven’t seen it. Really cool and really “Beatles”.

It could be very cool, but it could also be terrible if not done with respect to the original.

beatlesfan666 | 11/9/2009, 6:55 pm EST

what the hell, just leave it the original alone. seriously what happened to originalilty??

but, more important what happened to Zemeckis’s career. he used to really, REALLY good live action movies. but, now its motion capture crap.

o well, i guess ill just give it a try. but i wont be buying a ticket for the movie, instead ill sneek in.

record guy | 11/10/2009, 1:46 am EST

Surviving Beatle Pete Best be available….
(go see the Pete Best band!!)

the REAL tc | 11/10/2009, 1:47 pm EST

the original is perfect. I can’t believe that Apple or whoever is signing off on this accident waiting to happen. folly!!

bh in ut | 11/10/2009, 3:43 pm EST

They all kind of have that freakish look to them like Ted Turner’s colorized versions of old movies.

paulisdead | 11/11/2009, 4:47 pm EST

And maybe Paul’s replacement would be up for it.

Wild Bill | 11/11/2009, 4:58 pm EST

It doesn’t surprise me. I thought for 25 years that making a sequel to YS be a great idea.But I don’t know about a complete remake. Why is it that Hollywood always wants to remake great movies? Wouldn’t it make more sense to remake bad movies and make them better?
Anyhow the sequel idea would be much more creative.

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