The cartoon comedy about feuding factions of British garden gnomes follows much of Shakespeare's original story (star-crossed lovers, balcony scene and a flirtatious frog fountain filling in for Juliet's go-between Nurse), but minus the tragic ending. In its place? For starters, lots of raucous lawn-mower racing
The project was greenlighted by Disney more than a decade ago — back when the studio was still in the business of old-fashioned 2-D animation — with Rocket Pictures, John and Furnish's company, producing. But then the hand-drawn division was shuttered and Gnomeo was without a home-eo.
"It flat-lined a couple of times," John says from his home in Windsor, England, of the movie whose soundtrack is packed with his tunes both old (Your Song, Crocodile Rock) and new (Hello Hello, a duet with Lady Gaga). "It was my job to keep it alive."
Studio execs through the years blew hot and cold on the film ("Michael Eisner is a gnomo-phobe," Sir Elton says of Disney's former CEO) that eventually landed at Miramax, until the art-house label went under. Like a reclaimed foundling, however, Gnomeo— now done in 3-D computer animation — is safe and sound at Disney as a Touchstone release.
The executive producer originally got involved "because I felt we had a chance to make something great with that kind of story. I liked the low art of the garden gnomes mixed with the high art of Shakespeare."
His showbiz status allowed him to persuade such esteemed British actors as Maggie Smith and Michael Caine to speak for the contentious gnomes. Other voices: James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as the titular couple, Jason Statham as meanie Tybalt, and Ozzy Osbourne as a slow-witted deer statue.
His loyalty to Gnomeo did have a surprise payoff: An Elton John gnome done up in '70s glitter-rock garb has a cameo in the film. "I didn't know it was going to happen. I'm so proud to be a glamorous gnome."
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