Disney to scrap Elton movie
Amid cries of “wherefore?” Elton John’s animated movie “Gnomeo Juliet,” has been scrapped by bosses at Disney.
The retelling of Shakespeare’s famous play was to have been the second Disney collaboration with Elton John, following the success of The Lion King, which saw Elton and lyricist Tim Rice collect an Oscar for the song “Can you hear the love tonight?”
Elton John was both writing the score and producing “Gnomeo” through his company Rocket Man. But according to the Hollywood reporter the project has been shelved, and the crew from Feature Animation have been assigned other projects.
Since Disney’s purchase of Pixar Animation Studios, Pixar executives John Lasseter and Ed Catmull have been reviewing Disney’s animation plans, and considering how the Pixar and Disney slates can work together rather than in competition with each other.
Elton John appeared in support of his fledgling film at a meeting where Disney chiefs considered their production slate for 2008 releases. Yet despite serenading the company with a rendition of “Crocodile Rock” on a trademark red piano, “Gnomeo” could not be saved.
