UPDATE: It is now being reported that Robert Zemeckis has closed his deal to direct and co-write the live-action Pinocchio for Walt Disney Pictures, with the studio hoping to begin production at the end of the year. Original story follows…
It looks like Walt Disney Pictures has found a new director for the live-action Pinocchio remake, with Variety reporting that Back to the Future and Forrest Gump helmer Robert Zemeckis is in talks to direct the remake of the 1940 animated classic.
Paddington director Paul King was previously attached to the movie, but dropped out earlier this year. Zemeckis meanwhile is said to have been interested in picking up the reins since the summer, but was busy shooting his remake of The Witches, which is now in post-production.
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According to Variety’s report, producers Andrew Miano and Chris Weitz (The Farewell) will now work with Zemeckis to gear up the casting process on the project, which has been scripted by Weitz along with King and his Paddington 2 co-writer Simon Farnaby.
Zemeckis last directed to 2018 drama Welcome to Marwen starring Steve Carell, while his adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches is set for release in October.
