Everyone’s favourite actor, Tom Hanks, has entered into early negotiations to join Paul King’s live-action adaptation of ‘Pinocchio’.
No details as to which role Hanks is up for has been disclosed but we’re hedging our bets on Pinocchio’s ‘father’ Geppetto.
Paddington’s Paul King will helm the Disney story which follows a living puppet who must prove himself worthy in order to become a real boy. Geppetto is his creator, a master toymaker as well as a widower who longs for a son. Geppetto is protective of Pinocchio, prompting the boy to set out and see the world for himself.
Peter Hedges and Chris Weitz had previously worked on the script, however, Wonder scribe, Jack Thorne and Simon Farnaby have been working on a rewrite.
Also in the news – Paul King to take the helm on sci-fi adaptation ‘Time’s Fool’
Pinocchio first made an appearance in the children’s book The Adventures of Pinocchio in 1883 by Italian writer Carlo Collodi. Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a village near Lucca, he was created as a wooden puppet but dreamed of becoming a real boy. He lies often. He has gone on to become a cultural icon. As one of the most reimagined characters in children’s literature, his story has been adapted into other media, notably the 1940 Disney film Pinocchio which was was the second animated feature film produced by Disney, made after the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.
In the mid-2000s, DisneyToon Studios began development on a sequel to Pinocchio. Robert Reece co-wrote the film’s screenplay, which saw Pinocchio on a “strange journey” for the sake of something dear to him. “It’s a story that leads Pinocchio to question why life appears unfair sometimes,” said Reece. John Lasseter cancelled Pinocchio II soon after being named Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2006.
Hanks upcoming projects include War drama ‘Greyhound’, the untitled ‘Mr Rogers’ film and returning as the voice of Woody for Toy Story 4.
