Zemeckis 'Yellow Submarine'

On no, I really hope this ends up not happening! Variety has broke a story that Robert Zemeckis and Disney are eyeing The Beatles classic animated film "Yellow Submarine". Zemeckis wants to do it in 3D motion capture like he has previously done with The Polar Express and this year's "A Christmas Carol". To read more about this disappointing project scroll down...


The original 1968 animated film followed Old Fred who is sent by the Mayor's of Pepperland for help in a yellow submarine after music hating Blue Meanies seal the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a music-proof bubble and turn all of the citizens of Pepperland into statues. Old Fred travels to Liverpool and tries to persuade Ringo and the rest of The Beatles to travel back to Pepperland and restore the music loving paradise under the sea. The Beatles themselves only appear in a live-action cameo at the end of the original and their animated characters were voiced by other actors.

The silver lining to this story lies in The Beatles music itself. Disney who has yet to comment on the acquisition may have a hard time nailing down the rights to the music of The Beatles. Disney is reported to have an "army" of lawyers trying to get rights to all 16 tracks in order to make "Yellow Submarine" for a 2012 release. The release is pitched to coincide with the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Some of the bigger songs include: "Yellow Submarine," "Hey Bulldog," "Eleanor Rigby," "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "With a Little Help from My Friends," "Baby You're a Rich Man" and "All You Need Is Love."

I love the original the way it is and I do not need to see traditional animation sullied by Zemeckis' latest niche. Sure 3D motion capture is pretty freakin' awesome, but I just have no desire to see the likeness of The Beatles re-created in 3D motion-capture animation by anyone. How about Robert Zemeckis and Disney create a original 3D motion-capture film, instead of thumbing through old classics and going for quick cash? More news on this front as it develops...

What say you? Does the idea of a Yellow Submarine excite you? Are you opposed to the idea? Strikeback...