Award-winning director Paul King has been tapped to helm the live-action remake of Disney’s Pinocchio.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming film will be a reimagining of the classic 1940 cartoon, with a script penned by Jack Thorne (Wonder). American Beauty director Sam Mendes was reportedly in early talks to direct the long-gestating remake, but ultimately dropped out of the project in late 2017, right around the time King was gearing up to release the wildly successful Paddington 2.
Studios seemed convinced that King has the golden touch, as Pinocchio is one of two remakes he is reportedly attached to. According to THR, King is also in final negotiations to direct the Warner Bros. adaptation of Willy Wonka; however, the studio has not confirmed the report.
Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano will produce Pinocchio, which is scheduled to begin filming this fall.
Though the project does not have an official release date, it will presumably follow the slew of other live-action remakes Disney has on deck: Tim Burton’s Dumbo is set to hit theaters March 29, 2019; Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin will debut May 24, 2019; and Jon Favreau’s The Lion King is slated to drop July 19, 2019.
Stay tuned as more information about Pinocchio, including cast details, is revealed.
