James Cameron And Andrew Adamson Are Making 3D Cirque Du Soleil Feature

Cirque du Soleil has made projects about The Beatles, Elvis and Michael Jackson. It's only fitting that the next superstar they work with is James Cameron. The producer and director of the two biggest films of all time is teaming with the globally successful circus troupe to produce a 3D family film blending narrative with the incredible performances Cirque du Soleil is known for. And, get this, the film is already a third through production! Shrek and Chronicles of Narnia director Andrew Adamson came up with the story and is directing with Cameron producing and Cirque acting as the primary financier.

According to reports, Adamson has already worked with Cameron to film several of Cirque's current Las Vegas performances which will serve as a back drop for "a magical world where the film's lead character has been transported" and he's currently in New Zealand shooting the narrative bits. Read more about this project after the jump.

Deadline, which exclusively broke the story, also says the "intention is for this to launch a series of family features that incorporate Cirque du Soleil into their storylines." So whomever decides to distribute the currently untitled film is looking at a potential franchise and many studios are already interested. With a third of the film in the can, apparently several studios have already seen a presentation of footage.

It's rare that a film from such prolific filmmakers could be a third of the way through production and news is just now breaking about it (thought a hint might have been when Cameron spoke at Cirque du Soleil creator Guy Laliberte's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony a few weeks ago), but it makes sense considering the film is being produced outside of the studio system. Plus, they've assembled a smart team. Adamson already kicked off, and made sequels to, two massively success family franchises so he seems like a great choice to start another. Cirque du Soleil is one of the world's premiere entertainment troupes, with performances all over the globe, so them getting into movies is logical. As for Cameron, well, if there's a big 3D movie to be made, he's usually got something to do with it. The combination of the three certainly is something to keep an eye on.

Do you think marrying a narrative story around the world of Cirque du Soleil will work? Or are circuses in general not really a great place to set a family film?