Celine Dion To Perform Paul McCartney’s Original Songs For Animated Feature ‘High In The Clouds’

Celine Dion is set to lend her voice and vocal talents to an upcoming 3D animated film titled High in the Clouds, featuring original songs penned and composed by Paul McCartney. This project marks a notable collaboration between two iconic musical figures, with Dion contributing both as a voice actor and singer on the soundtrack, which will be distributed globally by Universal Music Group.

High in the Clouds is an adaptation of McCartney’s 2005 children’s novel, co-authored with Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Geoff Dunbar. The narrative centers on Wirral, a young squirrel who ignites a rebellion against Gretsch, a domineering owl who has outlawed music in their town. The story unfolds as Wirral embarks on a quest to restore music’s freedom, an adventure brought to life through a vibrant voice cast and original musical performances.

Joining Dion in the voice ensemble are actors Himesh Patel and Hannah Waddingham, alongside McCartney himself, Idris Elba, Lionel Richie, Ringo Starr, and Jimmy Fallon. Dion voices Sugartail, Wirral’s mother, while Patel and Waddingham provide voices to lead characters, also performing musical numbers. McCartney, as the creative force behind the songs, participates vocally and compositionally, enriching the film’s musical dimension.

The score is crafted by Michael Giacchino, an acclaimed composer known for his work on animated hits such as Ratatouille, Inside Out, and Coco. Giacchino’s compositions for High in the Clouds draw upon McCartney’s musical themes, blending original score elements with the iconic style of the legendary songwriter.

Dion’s involvement in the film coincides closely with her return to live performance after a challenging period. Just days prior to news of her participation surfaced, she completed the initial shows of her comeback residency in Paris. This concert series marked her first major stage return since she had to halt her Courage World Tour in 2020 amid the global pandemic and subsequent health difficulties. McCartney publicly expressed admiration for Dion’s triumphant return and her contributions to High in the Clouds.

The production team behind the movie includes director Toby Genkel, known for animated features such as The Amazing Maurice, with screenplay by Jon Crocker, an Oscar-winning writer recognized for Paddington 2. The film’s visual design is led by Patrick Hanenberger, whose credits include The Lego Movie 2 and Rise of the Guardians.

Producers include McCartney’s MPL Communications alongside industry veterans Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne, and representatives from Gaumont, Polygram Entertainment, Lemoko Investments, Sky, and James L. Nederlander Productions. Animation is managed by Gaumont Animation with support from 88 Pictures, which has contributed to projects like The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday and Spirit Untamed.

High in the Clouds is already securing international distribution deals, with rights acquired for major regions such as the UK, German-speaking countries, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and more. Gaumont plans to showcase a work-in-progress version of the film at the upcoming American Film Market, indicating ongoing momentum toward its release.

This venture represents a fusion of musical and cinematic artistry, bridging McCartney’s storytelling and songwriting with Dion’s vocal prowess. While specific release dates remain undisclosed, the collaboration has generated anticipation for a family-friendly film blending music and animation. Details about the full soundtrack and its rollout will be closely watched by both music and film audiences as the project advances.