Disney drops John's 'Gnomeo & Juliet'

LOS ANGELES, March 28 (UPI) -- Elton John's animated musical "Gnomeo & Juliet" has been dropped from production at Walt Disney Feature Animation.

The British rock star was producing the film based on William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" and writing original songs for it as well, The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

John and the studio first collaborated on "The Lion King," which featured the Oscar-winning song, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," The Reporter noted.

Disney did not give a reason for dropping "Gnomeo & Juliet" in making the announcement Monday, but The Reporter said the project was on the board before the recent purchase of Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar's John Lasseter and Ed Catmull have been charged with reviewing the Disney slate and developing new animated projects.