It looks like Disney may have found a director for its live-action Pinocchio remake, with Deadline reporting that Skyfall and Spectre helmer Sam Mendes is in talks to join the project, which has been scripted by Chris Weitz (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).
Pinocchio is one of many animated classics that Disney is remaking; production is gearing up to get underway on Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin and Tim Burton’s Dumbo, while Jon Favreau is also directing The Lion King and a sequel to The Jungle Book. Other projects on the horizon include Mulan, The Little Mermaid and Cruella De Vil.
Mendes, who has opted against a 007 return for Bond 25, was slated to direct The Voyeur’s Motel with Steven Spielberg producing, although the project was scrapped in November. He is currently directing the stage play The Ferryman, which just opened in London.
There are currently several other versions of Pinocchio in the works, with Robert Downey Jr. set to play both Geppetto and Pinocchio for director Ron Howard, Gomorrah director Matteo Garrone and star Toni Servillo teaming up for an adaptation, and Guillermo del Toro continuing to work on a stop-motion version of the classic tale.
Originally published May 23, 2017. Updated April 15, 2018.
