As filming on Disney’s live-action Pinocchio remake was set to begin within the next couple months. The film has lost its director.
In a recent interview with Discussing Film, the films cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, has revealed that director Paul King (Paddington 2) walked away from the project due to “family reasons.” Disney is actively searching for a new director.
McGarvey also revealed the film is delayed, and will likely shoot sometime this June-July (We previously reported that filming would take place in the United Kingdom). With a new director would possibly mean McGarvey would also be off the project, but that is not confirmed as of now.
Just last month it was revealed that Tom Hanks (Toy Story franchise) was in talks to star in the project as the fatherly figure Geppetto.
Chris Weitz (Rogue One, Cinderella) wrote the script, and will be produced by his production company, Depth of Field, with Weitz and Andrew Miano producing.
Released in 1940, Pinocchio was the second animated movie made by Disney, after 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It adapted the Italian story by Carlo Collodi about a wooden boy puppet crafted by an old carver named Geppetto. The boy is brought to life by a fairy who says he will become a real boy if he shows bravery. The character of Jiminy Cricket becomes his de facto conscience and tried to steer him in the right direction. What follows is a series of adventures that include Pinocchio being kidnapped to be part of a puppet show, getting turned into a donkey, and being swallowed by a whale.
Pinocchio currently has no release date as of yet.
Source: Discussing Film
