Joseph musical to be made into animated movie

The musical was originally created for performance in schools

An animated feature film version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to go into production.

Sir Elton John's Rocket Pictures announced on Wednesday it had acquired the film rights to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice's stage musical.

"I have always thought Joseph was a strong contender for an animation production," said Sir Tim.

"I'm delighted this is now going to happen."

The project is one of several from Rocket Pictures, which had a box office hit with 2011's Gnomeo & Juliet.

A sequel, Sherlock Gnomes, is in production, featuring new songs by Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin.

The company is also producing Rocketman, a "musical reinvention" of Sir Elton's life, with Tom Hardy starring as the musician; and animated family film Will Gallows and the Snake Bellied Troll.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was originally created for performance in schools, was first produced in the West End in 1973.

It premiered on Broadway in 1982 and has been seen by an estimated 26 million people, earning more than $600m (£368m) at the global box office.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said: "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat started in a school and was the first step on the path that led to my musicals with Tim Rice.

"It is now being performed all over the world by a fourth generation of school kids, and a great movie can only help Joseph be part of the lives of many more."

Rocket Pictures CEO Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish will produce the film with The Really Useful Group. Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sir Tim and Sir Elton will executive produce.