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Universal Music Picks Up Around The World In 50 Years

May 17, 2009
Source: ScreenDaily
by Alex Billington

Around The World In 50 Years

You've never heard of Around The World In 50 Years? Neither have I, so let's get introduced together. ScreenDaily is reporting that the Belgium animated film Around The World In 50 Years, directed by Ben Stassen (of Fly Me to the Moon last year), has been picked up Universal Music Group, not Universal Pictures, but rather the massive recording industry side of the corporation. The film tells the story of the epic journey of a turtle named Hatchling Shelly (seen above), who starts in 1959 and swims through a world that is being changed by global warming. The time span of the film follows the history of rock and roll.

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. This is the first time the company has ever dabbled in cinema, but it couldn't be a more perfect fit. "[UMG] said it would make a great soundtrack using classic songs, some original songs and some covers," Stassen told ScreenDaily. "Obviously, Universal Music Group is not a film distribution entity so they are going to collaborate with one of the major players in North America for the theatrical release." Expected release date is sometime in late 2010. Stassen's nWave studio in Brussels is animation the film.

Here's to hoping this is a much more intelligent animated film than Stassen's Fly Me to the Moon. The only reason I'm reporting on this is because it's a unique idea and I'd love to see the history of rock and roll as seen through the eyes of a turtle. Sounds like a fun little project and I'm curious to hear more about it.

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Reader Feedback - 5 Comments »

1

It all depends on the music that gets used if it's good music I'm there.

CLAW on May 17, 2009

2

there's a few stills from the movie on their website (nwave) looks kinda. meh!

scotty on May 17, 2009

3

maybe…? Fly Me To The Moon was just a waste of a movie, so idk how this could be very good. we'll see..

-Peter- on May 17, 2009

4

This does not sound like it will be "…the history of rock and roll as seen through the eyes of a turtle." With a description that says a turtle "…swims through a world that is being changed by global warming," it sounds more like an envronmental propaganda piece using various songs throughout rock history to "educate" and/or "promote the cause."

Pass

Trash on May 17, 2009

5

sounds interesting. i'm sure someone will drag me to it on the basis of it being 'cute.'

if they do it right, it could be a very unique movie, so I'm positive so far. perhaps b/c I haven't seen Fly me to the Moon.

dave13 on May 17, 2009

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