Looking to build on the success of Gnomeo & Juliet (and its developing, Sherlock-spoofing sequel), Elton John’s Rocket Pictures has made a deal for more music-fuelled animation, scoring the rights to Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber stage version of **Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat{
The musical, which was spawned from the Joseph story in the Book of Genesis, was originally first intended as a production for schools. While it is still performed many times a year by kids around the world – it’s the most performed musical in history, trivia fans – the Broadway, London and other touring professional stage versions are what have made it a massive hit, hoovering up awards and running consistently on tour in the UK for 30 years. So you can sort of see why Rocket Pictures might think this has some name recognition.
The story sees Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers, jealous of the coloured coat their father gave him and the fact that he's clearly the old man's favourite. Joseph ends up in Egypt and in prison, before a prophetic dream sees him made an advisor to the Pharaoh as a famine approaches, and Joseph's brothers come begging for food from their stores. Oh, and Joseph gets a new coat of red and yellow and orange and green and bluuuueeeeeee.
"Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the most popular musical experiences ever conceived," the company’s Steve Shaw says in a statement picked up by The Hollywood Reporter. "We are excited about the huge potential of a contemporary animated version, and we're thrilled to bring this to the big screen in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice."
Rice and Webber are going to be involved as producers, but there are zero details on who will write or direct it just yet. So, start placing your bets on who they’ll draft to voice the main man! Big name or someone who has experience wearing the colourful togs – your Philip Schofields, your Jason Donovans, your H. from out of Steps...