Netflix To Use The Beatles’ Songs For New Animated Series With ‘Life-Affirming Stories’

Netflix is reportedly creating a brand new animated series that will showcase new covers of hit songs originally recorded by The Beatles.

The Hollywood Reporter states that the new animated series, “Beat Bugs,” will use covers of several memorable hits from the legendary English rock band to help tell uplifting and life-affirming stories.

Created by Josh Wakely, “Beat Bugs” was reportedly made possible thanks to a deal that was made with Sony/ATV Music Publishing to receive worldwide rights that would allow the recording of covers from the “Northern Songs” catalog composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Wakeley is wearing several hats behind the scenes since he is the writer, director, and producer of the animated series.

“Beat Bugs” will actually become the first series project developed by Josh’s independent TV and film production company, Grace: A Storytelling Company. In addition to Netflix, he and co-owner/executive producer Trevor Roy will be working behind the scenes along with Thunderbird and Beyond Screen Production. Atomic Cartoons, a Thunderbird-owned company, is handling the animation for the series.

In an official statement, Josh Wakely opened up about the overall experience of blending The Beatles into a brand new Netflix animated series.

“Bringing Beat Bugs to life on Netflix and having a platform to re-imagine this universally acclaimed music for families around the world is an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Our partners have been fantastic in making this concept a vivid reality, and this is a great example of the innovative and fresh storytelling at the heart of Grace’s ethos.”

When it comes to the recorded covers, Josh will apparently “get by with a little help from his friends” – including such chart-topping artists as Sia, P!nk and Chris Cornell. According to The Hollywood Reporter, quite a few other artists have joined the party as well – such as James Bay, Of Monsters and Men, Regina Spektor, Birdy, The Shins and Eddie Vedder.

James Corden, host of The Late Late Show on CBS, has even come on-board to assist with his singing skills as well.

Which of The Beatles’ songs are going to be used for this animated Netflix series?

The report provided a list of quite a few of the chart-topping hits, including:

• “Help!”
• “Come Together”
• “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
• “Magical Mystery Tour”
• “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
• “Penny Lane”
• “Yellow Submarine”
• “All You Need is Love”

Guaranteed singer Eddie Vedder stated that he is “very grateful to be part of Josh’s vision.” Vedder further explained that “Beat Bugs” will be “a tremendous show for kids that combines beautiful animation with great stories and obviously some of the best songs ever written.”

Andy Yeatman, director of original kids content at Netflix, issued his own statement about the hard work that Josh and his team has been putting towards “Beat Bugs” behind the scenes as well.

“It’s a rare occasion to be presented with a truly one-of-a-kind children’s show that is so perfectly suited to Netflix. Josh and his team have not only developed a compelling children’s show filled with life lessons, but they’ve built a show that will transcend generations and have parents and grandparents enjoying right alongside their little ones.”

“Beat Bugs” does not have an official premiere date yet, but Netflix did release a teaser trailer to give fans and critics a taste of what to expect from the animated series.

According to the report, “Beat Bugs” will follow a group of five best friends that join together to explore their suburban backyard as they learn together and draw closer to one another. With the sweet sounds of The Beatles’ music playing a vital role within this Netflix animated series, the close bonding and emotional growth are bound to happen.

[Image Credit: Netflix]