5 Minutes
Star-Studded French Cast Brings Music and Heart
Celine Dion and Omar Sy headline a newly revealed French-language voice cast for High in the Clouds, the animated adaptation of Paul McCartney's beloved 2005 children's book. They join a lineup that includes Benjamin Lavernhe, Antoine de Caunes, Clémence Poésy, Pom Klementieff and Alain Chabat, giving the Gaumont Animation production a distinctly Franco-global feel.
The film centers on Wirral, a teenage squirrel whose curiosity sets off a rebellion against Gretsch, an authoritarian diva-owl who has outlawed music in his town. That premise — a young hero defending the power of song — positions High in the Clouds within a growing trend of family animation that celebrates music as both plot engine and emotional anchor.
Voice Cast & Characters
The casting choices are notable for crossing linguistic lines: Dion, Poésy, Klementieff and Chabat were previously announced as part of the English-language cast too, alongside Himesh Patel as Wirral and Hannah Waddington as Gretsch. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr also appear in the English version, underlining the project’s musical pedigree.
Omar Sy, long celebrated for his blend of warmth and comic timing, brings a relatable gravitas to the French dub. Dion’s involvement adds another layer: her world-class voice suggests the filmmakers may lean into musical set pieces that require more than just spoken performance.
Production, Music and Creative Team
Directed by Toby Genkel (The Amazing Maurice), written by Jon Crocker (known for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) and featuring production design by Patrick Hanenberger (Rise of the Guardians, The Lego Movie 2), the film has a creative team experienced in balancing visual spectacle with character-driven stories.
Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino will score the feature, and Paul McCartney has written new songs exclusively for the film. The combination of Giacchino’s cinematic touch and McCartney’s songwriting raises expectations for a soundtrack that could appeal to both children and adult fans of classic pop songwriting. Universal Music Group will release the soundtrack, giving it wide commercial reach.
Gaumont Animation is producing in partnership with 88 Pictures, with producers including Paul McCartney (MPL Communications), Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne, Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, and Terry Kalagian. The involvement of established studios and producers suggests robust theatrical ambitions and a global distribution strategy.
Context, Comparisons and What to Expect
High in the Clouds sits at the crossroads of several cinematic currents: musician-led animations (think Yellow Submarine, or more recently projects that involve pop artists), star-heavy voice casts similar to films like Sing, and family features that foreground original songs as narrative devices. Toby Genkel’s previous work shows an affinity for adapting whimsical material with emotional clarity, while Hanenberger’s design background promises a visually rich world.
There is, however, a balancing act. Celebrity-filled animated films can sometimes prioritize marquee names over character depth. Yet the pedigree of Giacchino and McCartney, plus writers and designers who have proven their craft, suggests the film will aim for sincerity rather than mere star wattage.
Film historian Marko Jensen offers a measured take: "High in the Clouds combines pop legacy with contemporary animation craft. If the music and visuals match the talent on the cast sheet, it could become one of the rare family films that truly resonates across generations."
Trivia: the original Paul McCartney book was published in 2005, and this adaptation has been years in the making, highlighting how musician-authored stories are finding renewed life in modern animation. Also, some actors performing in both English and French versions is unusual and hints at an artistic choice to keep vocal performances culturally consistent.
Whether it becomes a classic of family animation will depend on how convincingly it blends McCartney’s songs, Giacchino’s score and the voice performances. For now, the combined talent both behind and in front of the mic makes High in the Clouds one of the more intriguing animated releases to watch.
Source: deadline
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