Robert Redford in talks for Disney’s Pete’s Dragon remake

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Robert Redford is in early negotiations to star in Disney's PETE'S DRAGON remake, according to THR. David Lowery (AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS) will direct the film from a script Lowery co-wrote with Toby Halbrooks, and it'll be live-action with CGI used for the dragon. If Redford does join the movie, the CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER star will be playing a local who tells stories about dragons that no one believes.

The site also has some additional details on the remake. The original 1977 movie was set in a fishing village, however according to THR the new version will be "set against the backdrop of loggers cutting down a forest," which of course is where Elliot the dragon lives, and he's been raising Pete (Boardwalk Empire's Oakes Fegley) in the woods ever since the child's parents died in a car accident. Oona Laurence will also star in the film as the daughter of a mill owner, and other major characters of the movie include a forest ranger who discovers Pete and the mill owner's greedy brother.

Confession time: I don't think I ever watched all of PETE'S DRAGON as a kid. Maybe parts of it, but I don't remember actually finishing the film. The remake has some interesting people attached to it, and although I haven't seen all of the original movie, I'm curious to see what they'll do with the remake.

David Lowery's PETE'S DRAGON currently doesn't have a release date, but production on it will begin sometime this fall in New Zealand.