One of Disney’s many upcoming live-action adaptations of their animated classics is Pinocchio, a new take on the story from Robert Zemeckis. The studio has released a first look image from Pinocchio which features Tom Hanks as Geppetto looking down at his creation, a very faithful take on the animated version of the wooden puppet. Check it out below!
In addition to Tom Hanks as Geppetto, the kindly wood-carver who builds and treats Pinocchio as if he were his own son, the live-action Pinocchio movie also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key as “Honest” John’ Lorraine Bracco as Sofia the Seagull, Luke Evans as The Coachman, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Pinocchio himself. In addition to a pretty spot-on recreation of Pinocchio, Tom Hanks looks pretty damn good as Geppetto in the above image; tussle my hair, Mr. Hanks!
Pinocchio has been directed by Robert Zemeckis, who also co-wrote the script with Chris Weitz. Both Zemeckis and Weitz are also producing alongside Derek Hogue, Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz. The film is slated to debut on Disney+ this September, but it’s not the only Pinocchio movie set to be released on a streaming service this year. Guillermo del Toro has reimagined the classic tale as a stop-motion animated musical adventure set to be released on Netflix this December. Tackling the story of Pinocchio has long been a passion project for del Toro, as he’s said that he has a very personal connection to the wooden puppet.
No art form has influenced my life and my work more than animation and no single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio. In our story, Pinocchio is an innocent soul with an uncaring father who gets lost in a world he cannot comprehend. He embarks on an extraordinary journey that leaves him with a deep understanding of his father and the real world. I’ve wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember. After the incredible experience we have had on Trollhunters, I am grateful that the talented team at Netflix is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to introduce audiences everywhere to my version of this strange puppet-turned-real-boy.
Although both projects seem to be quite different, we’ll still be seeing the battle of the Pinocchio’s later this year!