Rockers Def Leppard developing cartoon series

British rock band Def Leppard pose for a photo after their performance live on NBC's 'Today' show in New York in this May 27, 2005 file photo.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British metal veterans Def Leppard are getting animated about their career.

The group has entered a wide-ranging deal with music publishing company Primary Wave, which is developing various marketing and branding opportunities.

Among them is a cartoon TV show, said Primary Wave CEO Larry Mestel. The project is still in the early stages, and has not been pitched to the networks, but it will depict the five members of the group in a fictional, adventurous setting, he said.

Primary Wave is also developing what Mestel called "unusual" videogame and cell phone applications.

Additionally, the company will administer Def Leppard's music publishing, a task previously performed by Sony/ATV. The copyrights will continue to be owned by the songs' various composers.

Def Leppard toured North America this past summer with Poison and Cheap Trick. There are no recording or touring plans in the works, a band spokesman said.

The group is now a free agent after fulfilling its contract with Universal Music. Its last album, "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge," debuted at No. 5 on the U.S. pop chart in May 2008 -- its best start since "Adrenalize" opened at No. 1 in 1992. In the U.K., it debuted at No. 10, its best showing for a studio album since "Slang" reached No. 6 in 1996.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman)