British metal legends Def Leppard are taking a leaf from acts such as Green Day and U2 (who’ve appeared on TV shows like “The Simpsons”), getting animated for their new career – as cartoon characters.

The legendary “Pour Some Sugar On Me” rockers (who formed back in 1977 in Sheffield, UK) have inked a new business deal with American music publishing company Primary Wave, who will develop new marketing strategies for the group, including the animation.

One of the top projects is, says CEO Larry Mestel, a cartoon TV show, which will depict all five members of the metal outfit and show fictional adventures, rather than real-life tales. Also on the cards: “unusual” videogames and mobile phone applications. The company will also control the band’s publishing, which up to now has been looked after by company Sony/ATV.

With over 100 million albums sold so far, including classics like Hysteria and Pyromania, Def Leppard recently toured the US with hair metal ‘80s legends Poison and Cheap Trick, a trek which visited Australia in late 2008. Their latest LP is Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, which was released in May 2008.