Elton John lends songs to Gnomeo and Juliet

“‘Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the greatest love stories of all time,” says Elton John, who serves as executive producer and provides the music for Touchstone Pictures' new animated comedy “Gnomeo and Juliet.” “And garden gnomes are huge in many countries throughout the world. We thought this would be a really good idea.”

John, a singer, songwriter, musician and humanitarian, teamed up with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin to provide the soundtrack for the film. “In describing the music, all I can say is that I had to reevaluate myself with any pop sensibilities still lurking in my decidedly un-pop brain,” says Taupin.

“Cue some old Beatles circa ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and voila, that sounded like a good starting point. Gnomes are very poppy, wouldn’t you agree? Colorful, energetic and ABBAesque, so it seemed only natural that the songs suit the characters. Guess I just put my pointy hat on and went out into the garden.”

The greatest love story GNOMES ever told - “GNOMEO & JULIET”

The greatest love story ever told, starring...garden gnomes?

Shakespeare’s revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover in the upcoming animated comedy adventure “Gnomeo & Juliet,”. The film features the voices of James McAvoy (“Wanted,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) as Gnomeo and Juliet, who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and thrilling lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness? 

JAMES McAVOY BREATHES LIFE TO “GNOMEO”

British actor James McAvoy (“Wanted,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) explores his romantic side as he provides the voice of the love-struck Gnomeo. For the voice cast of the film, becoming a gnome isn’t a walk in the garden, so to speak. Each actor works individually, hitting the recording studio at various times during the process, and filmmakers tie it all together. 

“At the beginning it was particularly hard, but then it got easier,” says James McAvoy. “Emily [Blunt] would come in to record and that informed my character. What we did informed the writing and then they’d come back with a script that was slightly evolved. Even though we’re not there together as actors, the implications of what we did individually now exist on screen. It’s really odd, but it’s fun.”

Gnomeo is the star gardener of the Blues—a gnome who knows how to make things happen. He’s the loyal son of Lady Bluebury and best friend to Benny. But being top gnome is not everything it’s cracked up to be. There are duties, responsibilities, expectations—and Tybalt, a Red who’d love to knock Gnomeo right out of his award-winning garden. But gnomes don’t leave their gardens…or do they? 

It’s during a rare outing that Gnomeo meets her—Juliet—a Red. And everything changes forever.     

Opening soon across the Philippines in Digital 3D and regular format, “Gnomeo & Juliet” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.