John Lennon famously sang in the 1968 Beatles song “Glass Onion” that “the walrus was Paul,” and now comes word that Paul McCartney will be voicing a character that’s a walrus in the upcoming 3D animated film High in the Clouds. The news was revealed at a special preview event for the movie held June 13 at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France.
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According to ScreenDaily.com, McCartney will lend his voice to Paul McKenzie, a walrus who also happens to be a left-handed bassist, like the Beatles legend himself, and who plays in a band called The Sweets.
As previously reported, High in the Clouds, which is due out in 2027, is based on a 2005 children’s book of the same name that McCartney co-wrote. The story focuses on a teenage squirrel named Wirral, who accidentally incited a revolution against a bossy diva owl named Gretsch. Gretsch has banned all music from their town, and Wirral sets out on a quest to “set music free.”
McCartney discussed the film during a video presentation at the festival, ScreenDaily.com. He explained that Wirral was based on Lennon.
“If you asked [John] something, he could always have a quick, snappy answer,” Paul noted.
McCartney also revealed that the character Sugartail, Wirral’s mother, is inspired by his late first wife, Linda.
“I first thought of the idea after my kids’ mum Linda died, and I knew everyone was missing her so much that I thought if we could bring her back in the film, it would be very nice for them,” McCartney shared. “Sugartail is like Linda—she’s strong and resourceful.”
More Details About High in the Clouds Revealed
McCartney also composed a variety of songs for the movie. According to the presentation, Paul wrote 13 tunes for the project, six of which will be heard in the film. The titles of two of the songs were revealed at the festival—“Happy Morning” and “I Will Always Be There.”
In May, several other members of the High in the Clouds voice cast were revealed, including Ringo Starr. The festival presentation revealed that Starr will voice an ostrich character named Roy who plays drums in The Sweets.
Meanwhile, Himesh Patel, star of the 2019 Beatles-themed movie Yesterday, is voicing Wirral, while Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham will portray the evil Gretsch. Sugartail will be voiced by Celine Dion, while Idris Elba will voice Wirral’s father. Lionel Richie, Jimmy Fallon, and Clemence Poesy also are part of the cast.
McCartney and the French film company Gaumont are among the movie’s producers. Gaumont executive Terry Kalagian hosted the presentation. He said of the project, “Working with Paul really moved this movie from being a beautiful independent film into something that we believe will be a global brand, that will attract audiences from little kids to grandmothers and grandfathers.”
As previously reported, High in the Clouds is being directed by Toby Genkel, whose previous credits include The Amazing Maurice. Writer Jon Croker is penning the screenplay.
More About Beatles References High in the Clouds
In 1967, The Beatles released “I Am the Walrus,” a psychedelic tune sung by Lennon that featured nonsensical lyrics. In “Glass Onion,” Lennon referenced various previous Beatles songs, including “I Am the Walrus,” enigmatically declaring in the 1968 tune “the walrus was Paul.”
Meanwhile, McCartney’s character in High in the Clouds, Paul McKenzie, might be a nod to the classic 1966 Beatles song “Eleanor Rigby.” In that tune, McCartney sings about a cleric named Father McKenzie.
(Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
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