In 2009, Disney, Apple Corps, and Imagemovers Digital announced a motion-captured remake of the 1968 Beatles filmatthe D23 Expo. The film was slated to bereleased in the Summer of 2012, in time for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

The film would have been written and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Peter Serafinowicz would have played Paul McCartney, Dean Lennox Kelly would have been John Lennon, Cary Elwes would've played George Harrison, and Adam Campbell would play Ringo Starr. The Beatles tribute band The Fab Four would've performance captured the Beatles in general.[2] David Tennant was in talks to play the Chief Blue Meanie.[3] If the film had been successful, it would've don a Broadway musical and a Cirque de Soleil show.

However, in May 2010, Disney shut down Imagemovers Digital, the studio where it would've been produced, due to unsatisfactory results of A Christmas Carol, and cancelled the project in 2011 after Mars Needs Moms bombed.[4] Disney however let Zemeckis bring the film to other studios, which led to Imagemovers Digital final project being a look-dev test for the film, also directed by Robert Zemeckis.[5][6] By 2012, Zemeckis had no interest of remaking the film, saying: "That would have been a great one to bring the Beatles back to life. But it’s probably better not to be remade – you’re always behind the 8-ball when do you a remake. It gets harder and harder [to make movies]. With the current state of the industry, it’s difficult to stay passionate about it. The hardest thing for a filmmaker as he’s aging is saying, “How much more of this crap can I take?” It’s tough, I can only do it if I have a script to believe in. Like Flight."[7]

Mike Dacko Animation Reel 2013

Concept art, as well as a few animation test are still hanging online, but the finished look dev test has yet to be seen by the public.





Gallery

Four-Headed Bulldog model by Punn Wiantrakoon Jeremy Hilary Boob Phd model by Punn Wiantrakoon Max model by Punn Wiantrakoon Chief Blue Meanie model by Punn Wiantrakoon Fish concept art by Brandon Martynowicz Four-Headed Bulldog leash concept art by Brandon Martynowicz Beatle mansion exterior by Brandon Martynowicz Beatle mansion interior concept art by Brandon Martynowicz Meanie-fied tree concept art by Brandon Martynowicz Pepperland concept art by Brandon Martynowicz A butterfly-stomper by Chris Bonura, a concept artist on the film "Flying Turk" engine head piece by Punn Wiatrakoon Sea of Monster's sucking monster model by Punn Wiantrakoon Sucking Monster open mouth art by Punn Wiantrakoon Max model study by Punn Wiantrakoon Chief Blue Meanie model study by Punn Wiantrakoon The Beatles models by Punn Wiantrakoon The Beatles in band model by Punn Wiantrakoon, Matt Cioffi, and Landis Fields Flying warship(?) concept art by Jason Merck Alternative Beatle Mansion concept art by Jason Merck

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