As of this week, there are three different versions of the classic fairy tale “Pinocchio” in development. No lie.

First there’s Disney’s live-action remake of their 1940 animated classic. And between juggling directors and screenwriters over the years, let’s just say it’s got a lot of strings attached. The second project, just announced on Monday, is a passion project from Guillermo del Toro that he’s had on the shelf since 2012 at least, an animated, stop-motion musical that is now being set up at Netflix.

So that leaves Matteo Garrone, the director of the gritty mob drama “Gomorrah,” the surreal fairy tale “Tale of Tales,” and Italy’s Foreign Language Oscar submission for 2019, “Dogman.” We asked him how his version of “Pinocchio,” just announced Friday, is different enough to be taken seriously as a real boy, and what he thinks of all the other versions of the wooden puppet fable out there.

Also Read: Guillermo del Toro Sets 'Pinocchio' Passion Project With Netflix

“It’s a trend. I know that Guillermo was working on ‘Pinocchio’ for a long time, like me. And there is also the Disney ‘Pinocchio,’ so there will be three Pinocchios. Of course, theirs will be much much bigger than mine,” Garrone told TheWrap’s Steve Pond. “I will try to make my ‘Pinocchio’ in a way that will be personal and faithful to the original book.”

One thing that sets Garrone’s apart is that for his film he’s recruited legendary Italian actor Roberto Benigni, making his return to film since last starring in Woody Allen’s 2012 film “To Rome With Love.” Benigni of course starred as Pinocchio in his own “Pinocchio” from 2002, but he’ll be playing Geppetto in Garrone’s film.

Also Read: 'Paddington' Director in Talks for Live-Action 'Pinocchio'

But there’s another reason Garrone feels so close to the story.

“I’m Italian, so I grew up with the story,” Garrone said. “I think I made my first storyboards for ‘Pinocchio’ when I was 6 six years old.”

In his statement announcing the film, Garrone said, “Filming ‘Pinocchio’ and directing Roberto Benigni are two dreams come true in one film.”

“Collodi’s puppet and I have been chasing each other since I was a child, drawing my first storyboards. As years passed, I have always felt something familiar in the story, as if Pinocchio had penetrated my imagination to such an extent that many have found traces of his adventures in my previous films. Also with Roberto it’s a chase that started many years ago: I met him as a child, thanks to my father (theatre critic Nico Garrone, one of the first to write about Benigni at the start of his career). It’s an ex- traordinary chance for me to have the opportunity of finally working together with Rob- erto. Pinocchio will be a film for families, big and small, and there’s no one like Roberto, who has amused and moved millions of spectators across the world, and is able to touch an audience of all ages. I want to thank him for the trust that he has shown accepting to share with me this new and daring adventure.”

Also Read: 'Roma,' 'Cold War' Lead Academy's List of 87 Films in the Oscars Foreign Language Race

Pinocchio character first appeared in the children’s novel “The Adventures of Pinocchio” from 1883 by Italian writer Carlo Collodi. The story has been adapted into film, TV and theater dozens of times, and that’s not including projects that have come and gone, like the Paul Thomas Anderson adaptation that would have starred Robert Downey Jr. as both Geppetto and Pinocchio.

Garrone’s “Pinocchio” starts shooting in the first quarter of 2019, entirely on location in Italy across Lazio, Tuscany and Puglia.

A Timeline of Disney's Animated Animal Sidekicks, From Mushu to Sven (Photos)

"Mulan" celebrates its 20th birthday on June 19, having come out on that day in 1998. The beloved Disney film is based on a Chinese legend and tells the story of a young girl, Mulan, who impersonates a man to take her sick father's place in the fight against an invading Hun army. The movie was well-received by critics, earning multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, and grossed $304 million at the box office. In addition to the title heroine, "Mulan" starred Eddie Murphie as a small red dragon named Mushu, who serves as a guardian for Mulan throughout the movie. In honor of Mulan's 20th birthday, take a look back at some of Disney's most iconic animal sidekicks.
Jiminy Cricket, “Pinocchio” (1940)

This little cricket went from a minor character in the original 1881 novel by Carlo Collodi to a star player in the 1940 Disney film. He serves as the conscience of Pinocchio and tries to keep him out of trouble throughout the film.
RKO Radio Pictures
Thumper, "Bambi" (1942)

This young rabbit from the 1942 Disney classic teaches his best friend how to speak and skate on ice. He also put his own spin on the enduring phrase: "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." Thanks for the tip, Thumper!

RKO Radio Pictures
Gus and Jaq, “Cinderella” (1950)

Jaq is smart and skinny, Gus is chubby and not too bright, but together they serve as Cinderella's best friends and closest confidants. While dodging the ever-hungry Lucifer, these two mice help find a ribbon for Cinderella's dress, get turned into horses so they can pull Cinderella's chariot, and steal the key to Cinderella's room from her evil stepmother so she can escape and marry Prince Charming.
RKO Radio Pictures
Archimedes, “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)

Archimedes is Merlin's pet owl and Arthur's teacher. He teaches Arthur about history, shows him how to fly and helps him find the sword in the stone.
Buena Vista Distribution
Sebastian and Flounder, "The Little Mermaid" (1989)

Flounder goes along with Ariel on all of her adventures, supports her fascination with human things, and ultimately helps her defeat Ursula. Sebastian is the royal court composer and a loyal servant to King Triton, but he's also a loyal friend to Ariel -- helping her win his love and defeat Ursula. Not bad for a tropical fish and a crab!
Buena Vista Pictures
Abu, “Aladdin” (1992)

Abu may be a small monkey and a big thief, but he's loyal to his best friend Aladdin and will do whatever he can for him. He shares his stolen food with hungry children, turns into an elephant to help Aladdin with his disguise to win Jasmine's heart, and transforms into a toy monkey after saving Aladdin's life.
Buena Vista Pictures
Zazu, “The Lion King” (1994)

The king's royal dodo (excuse us, toucan) may not be the world's best babysitter, but he makes up for it with his great singing ("The Morning Report"), his loyalty to Mufasa, and his ability to maintain a sense of humor while living in a bone cage with his boss's murderer. In the end, he takes his rightful place as King Simba's right-hand bird.
Buena Vista Pictures
Meeko and Flit, “Pocahontas” (1995)

Meeko is a greedy racoon and Flit is a loyal hummingbird. Together, they go along with Pocahantas on her visit to Grandmother Willow and try to sabotage her relationship with John Smith -- though they warm up to him in the end, just like Pocahontas.
Buena Vista Pictures
Pegasus, “Hercules” (1997)

Every hero needs a loyal steed, and Hercules is no exception. His winged horse Pegasus is brave, silly, and not too fond of Meg -- but after she saves Hercules' life, goddess and horse work together to help Hercules defeat the Titans.
Buena Vista Pictures
Mushu, "Mulan" (1998)

This dragon may look more like a lizard, but he has a heart of gold and a mouth to match -- and he helps Mulan save China from the evil Hun invaders. Happy 20th, Mushu!
Buena Vista Pictures
Bullseye, “Toy Story 2" (1999)

Even toy cowboys need a way to get around, and Bullseye serves as a loyal -- and adorable -- sidekick for Woody and Jessie.
Buena Vista Pictures
Dory, "Finding Nemo" (2003)

This forgetful fish just kept swimming into our hearts and minds when she helped Marlon find his son in the 2003 Pixar classic -- and twelve years later, she got her own movie as thanks for her hard work.
Pixar Animation Studios
Dug, “Up” (2009)

The lovable golden retriever from Pixar's "Up" is as brave, silly and loyal as they come -- and he can talk about squirrels and giant birds to his heart's content, thanks to a special canine-translating collar.
Walt Disney Studios
Pascal and Maximus, “Tangled” (2010)

They may be different sizes and species, but these two sidekicks help Flynn and Rapunzel stay out of trouble and fall in love. Pascal is a little green chameleon who served as Rapunzel's best friend and confidant during her long imprisonment in the tower. Maximus is a big white stallion who starts out the movie hunting down Flynn with the police -- and ends the movie as a loyal friend to Flynn and Rapunzel and the head of the Royal Guard.
Walt Disney Studios
Sven, "Frozen" (2013)

Kristoff's loyal friend is an excellent example of why reindeers are better than people (according to some). He loves carrots, he can pull sleds like nobody's business, and he earns a medal for helping to save Anna and Elsa from the evil Prince Hans.
Walt Disney Studios
Heihei, "Moana" (2016)

Heihei isn't the smartest chicken in the coop, but he makes up for his low IQ by keeping Moana company on her long voyage across the sea -- and he manages to avoid being turned into Maui's meal along the way.

Also Read: 34 Movies That Have Grossed $1 Billion Worldwide (Photos)
Walt Disney Studios

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As “Mulan” turns 20, revisit Disney’s most famous furry, feathery and scaly sidekicks

"Mulan" celebrates its 20th birthday on June 19, having come out on that day in 1998. The beloved Disney film is based on a Chinese legend and tells the story of a young girl, Mulan, who impersonates a man to take her sick father's place in the fight against an invading Hun army. The movie was well-received by critics, earning multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, and grossed $304 million at the box office. In addition to the title heroine, "Mulan" starred Eddie Murphie as a small red dragon named Mushu, who serves as a guardian for Mulan throughout the movie. In honor of Mulan's 20th birthday, take a look back at some of Disney's most iconic animal sidekicks.

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