Robert Zemeckis in Early Talks to Direct 'Pinocchio' Live-Action Remake at Disney

Robert Zemeckis is in early talks to direct Disney’s live-action remake of their animated classic “Pinocchio,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

“Paddington” director Paul King was originally circling the project but left earlier this year. Chris Weitz wrote the most recent draft of the script, and he’s also producing with Andrew Miano. The film’s original producer, David Heyman, is also no longer involved.

In November 2018, Tom Hanks was in early talks to star but ultimately passed to star as Geppetto, the puppet maker and Pinocchio’s father, but Zemeckis will lead his own search for a cast.

Also Read: Octavia Spencer in Talks to Join Robert Zemeckis' 'The Witches' Remake With Anne Hathaway

The “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump” director is currently at work on another remake, “The Witches” for Warner Bros. The film stars Anne Hathaway and is based on a Roald Dahl novel and a 1990 film starring Angelica Huston.

Disney’s animated “Pinocchio” from 1940 was the story of a puppet that comes to life, whose nose grows every time he lies and who works to become a real boy along with the help of his conscience, Jiminy Cricket.

Disney has aggressively been casting for its live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” and the studio this year has had massive box office success on the heels of three different remakes, “Aladdin,” “The Lion King” and “Dumbo,” the first two of which both surpassed $1 billion at the global box office.

Also Read: Daveed Diggs in Talks to Join Disney's 'Little Mermaid' as Sebastian

Zemeckis’s most recent film was “Welcome to Marwen,” which starred Steve Carell. The film was a fictionalized version of the documentary “Marwencol.” With the exception of “The Witches” upcoming, his last foray into children’s films was the animated version of “A Christmas Carol” starring a motion-captured performance by Jim Carrey.

Disney’s film is one of several versions of the classic “Pinocchio” fable currently in the works, including a far darker version set up at Netflix that’s a passion project for director Guillermo del Toro.

News of Zemeckis’s involvement was first reported by Variety.

16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
"Jungle Cruise"

Okay, okay, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action film based on a previously animated classic, but it is based on a ride at Disneyland, so we're going to include it. Plus, we'll take any chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the same sentence. It will hit theaters July 24, 2020.
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"The Little Mermaid"
So now we're getting into films that are in some stage of development but haven't necessarily been slated for release. After all, Disney has so many untitled films slated, it's hard to count. But a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" has been long discussed, as it is arguably one of the most popular and profitable movies in Disney's vault. Rob Marshall is on board direct, with Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Disney
"Pinocchio"

"Pinocchio" is also in the works, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
Getty Images/Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"The Jungle Book 2"
This is a no-brainer follow-up to Favreau's hit from spring 2016, based on the animated classic released in 1967.
Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"Aladdin"
"Hercules"
Disney
"Peter Pan"
Neverland will get a practical set if Disney has its way updating the 1953 animated film.
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"James and the Giant Peach"
In one of the more interesting adaptations, this beloved Roald Dahl book became a quirky claymation hit for Disney in 1996 with director Henry Selick. Heavy dramatist director Sam Mendes was attached to take a stab at it, but he has since dropped out.
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"Hunchback"

In early 2019, a live-action film based on 1996's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was announced. Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was tapped to pen the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz handling the music.
Disney
"Tinker Bell"

This movie has also been in the works for quite some time, with Reese Witherspoon attached as the cute little fairy from "Peter Pan."
Disney
"Bambi"

In January 2020, Disney hired Geneva Robertson-Dworet (“Captain Marvel") and Lindsey Beer (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”) to write the script for the live-action remake of the 1942 animated classic.
"Oliver Twist"
While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, the studio did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. The studio also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
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"Lilo & Stitch"

This project was announced in October 2018 with Mike Van Waes attached to pen the script. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing. In November of last year, it was announced that Jon M. Chu was in early talks to direct.
Disney
"The Lion King" Sequel

In September, it was announced that Barry Jenkins would direct the follow-up to Jon Favreau's 2019 hit. The logline is being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported that the film will explore the mythology of the other characters in Pride Rock, including Mufasa’s origin story.

No release date for the next film has been set, and it’s unclear when production would begin. No cast has been set either.

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The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including ”The Little Mermaid“

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.

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16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

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