Elton John’s Rocket Pictures Turning Kidbook ‘Nerds’ Into Animated Feature
| Friday January 20, 2012 @ 3:03pm EST
“Nerds is an action-filled comedic property with a great inclusive message at its heart,” Shaw said. “We think it has huge potential as a dynamic and modern family movie.” Rocket Pictures most recently produced the 3D animated Disney movieGnomeo & Juliet and is developing Will Gallows And The Snake Bellied Troll, written and to be directed by Shrek 2’s Kelly Asbury. The company’s also developing Rocketman, a biographical musical-fantasy feature film about the life of Elton John that’s being written by Lee Hall. UTA reps Rocket Pictures and also brokered the book deal with publishing agent Alison Fargis of Stonesong.Elton John to Develop Animated Take on 'Nerds' Childbook Series
Through his Rocket Pictures banner, Elton has acquired the rights to the Michael Buckley book series, which follows a group of geeks who run a spy network in their elementary school.
After co-producing "Gnomeo and Juliet" with husband David Furnish, Elton John is set to develop another animated feature. Deadline reported that the veteran English musician is eyeing to adapt Michael Buckley's bestselling children book series, "Nerds", to the big screen.
Elton's Rocket Pictures has obtained the rights to the series and planned to create the animated film with Buckley penning the screenplay. The singer will serve as the executive producer, while his husband David will produce it along with Steve Hamilton Shaw.
"Nerds" centers on a group of unpopular geeks who run a spy network from inside their elementary school. They battle the Hyena, a former junior beauty pageant contestant-turned-assassin, and an array of James Bond-alike villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.
Of the upcoming movie project producer Hamilton Shaw said, "Nerds is an action-filled comedic property with a great inclusive message at its heart." He added, "We think it has huge potential as a dynamic and modern family movie."
In addition to this project, Elton's Rocket Pictures is currently developing another animated feature, "Will Gallows and the Snake Bellied Troll", which will be directed by "Shrek 2" helmer Kelly Asbury. The company also works on Elton's biopic called "Rocketman", which is written by Lee Hall.
Elton's Rocket Pictures has obtained the rights to the series and planned to create the animated film with Buckley penning the screenplay. The singer will serve as the executive producer, while his husband David will produce it along with Steve Hamilton Shaw.
"Nerds" centers on a group of unpopular geeks who run a spy network from inside their elementary school. They battle the Hyena, a former junior beauty pageant contestant-turned-assassin, and an array of James Bond-alike villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.
Of the upcoming movie project producer Hamilton Shaw said, "Nerds is an action-filled comedic property with a great inclusive message at its heart." He added, "We think it has huge potential as a dynamic and modern family movie."
In addition to this project, Elton's Rocket Pictures is currently developing another animated feature, "Will Gallows and the Snake Bellied Troll", which will be directed by "Shrek 2" helmer Kelly Asbury. The company also works on Elton's biopic called "Rocketman", which is written by Lee Hall.
Elton John adds more stops to global tour
World traveler and resident Vegas piano manElton John has added a handful of new dates to his already extensive global tour, making him one of the busiest men in showbiz.
In addition to his "Million Dollar Piano" shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, John is so far scheduled to perform in over 12 countries this year including Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, Germany, England, Denmark and Poland, according to his website.
First up is a Feb. 1 concert in Lima, Peru, followed by stops in South America, Nevada, Georgia, Florida and Europe before heading to Indonesia in the fall for his last scheduled concert date on Nov. 17.
John's band, which is comprised of guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Bob Birch, percussionist John Mahon, drummer Nigel Olsson, keyboardist Kim Bullard and percussionist Ray Cooper, will be along for the ride. Fans can expect to hear John's most beloved hits from his 40-year career.
Aside from maintaining a rigorous tour schedule, John put out a collaboration album titled "The Union" with Leon Russell in October 2010, which peaked at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy.
John performed his 3000th concert in October 2011 at Caesars Palace in Vegas.
Fancy bidding on Elton's old Jag?
5:50pm Saturday 21st January 2012 in
A red E-Type Jaguar that belonged to Sir Elton John is up for sale at an Oxford auctioneers.
The popstar’s 1965 sports car is expected sell for up to £70,000 when it goes under the hammer at Bonhams in Banbury Road.
The vehicle is the highlight of the classic car sale on March 3.
Sir Elton bought the car in 1987 and nicknamed it ‘OK Elton’ as its number plate is OKE 1. He sold it in 2001 to a private collector.
Rob Hubbard, senior specialist at Bonhams, said: “This is a fantastic example of a 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1, which has been carefully looked after since its original purchase and is in excellent condition.
“We are expecting much interest from both national and international clients, particularly as a result of the E-Type’s provenance.”
