‘Forest Gump’ director Robert Zemeckis in talks to helm a live-action version of Disney’s ‘Pinocchio.’
‘Pinocchio.” Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios In-Home USA/Canada.
Get ready to be swallowed into the belly of the beast! Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) is in talks to direct Pinocchio, a live-action feature adapted from the Disney classic. While this project is in its early days, there have already been problems on Pleasure Island. Both Paul King (Paddington) and David Heyman (Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), the original director and producer, have departed for unknown reasons. Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Cast Away), rumored to play Geppetto, left the project soon after King. It seems no one wants to get turned into a jackass.
Chris Weitz, who co-wrote the script with King and Simon Farnaby, will also co-produce with Andrew Miano under their Depth of Field label. A production date for the film has not yet been announced.
Although the tale of Pinocchio has left a trail of failed remakes and iterations in its wake, perhaps this time is different: Pinocchio will mark the first time Disney itself creates a live-action feature of the classic tale. If you’re looking for something closer to the bleak source material, be sure to check out Guillermo Del Toro’s take on the dark tale coming to Netflix in 2021.
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