The usual Hollywood channels have been spreading word about Guillermo Del Toro’s stop-motion version of ‘Pinocchio.’ As a fan Guillermo Del Toro (HELLBOY, PAN’S LABYRINTH) I’m curious to see how close the film will stay to the original Carlo Collodi story. From his previous work, I’m not thinking it’s going to go the way of sunny and cheery and from these released images it seems like Del Toro is sticking close to the original material.
In the original children’s book, Pinocchio is carved from a foul piece of a wood and once alive, Pinocchio torments his maker Geppetto. Collodi created the puppet boy as a dark and sinister character, who dies in the original incarnation of the fable. As a lover of all things Disney, I don’t see this version trumping Disney’s classic 1940 animated version, but second best isn’t so bad.
Del Toro’s version is still in its concept phase, but it doesn’t take much to get me excited for another chance to see the brilliant imagination of Guillermo De Toro on display.
Pinocchio on stage.
Joining Guillermo Del Toro are those talented folks from The Jim Henson Company. There is a short list of actors rumored to be lending their voices to the film, currently on top of that list are Daniel Radcliffe (HARRY POTTER, LADY IN BLACK) and Tom Waits (Dude. It’s Tom Waits. No credits needed.)
‘Pinocchio’ is scheduled to hit the theaters in 2014, but first, you know, they actually have to make it. But, you know, after that, see you in 2014!
Information found via /Film.
It does look somewhat dark and Tim Burtonish….but 2014 is a long way off in filmland. Hope it doesn’t end up looking too Pixarish (with Eddie Murphy doing his usual voice-over shtick).
The Jim Henson Company being involved has my hopes up.
I can’t see Guillermo Del Toro taking the film in a direction that someone like Eddie Murphy would be involved, but anything is possible in Hollywood!
The stop motion crew working on it also did The Fantastic Mr. Fox, so that keeps my hopes up that it won’t be a copy of Tim Burton’s work or a Pixar film.
I was kind of thinking “Tim Burtonish” as well, but not in a broad general sense. Specifically in reference to the movie, 9, but without being quite so warm and fuzzy.
I forgot about 9. These images definitely lean towards that.
While I tend to like more than a few of Tim Burton’s live action movies, there isn’t a single animated feature he’s done that I care for except for 9, and 9 is awesome. Based on these images and what I know of Del Toro’s work, I could see that level of care and emotion being put into Pinocchio, and if he does stick to the original story, it would definitely have that dark, broken, and desperate feel that permeated 9. In fact I could almost become concerned that it might be too depressing.
While I tend to like more than a few of Tim Burton’s live action movies, there isn’t a single animated feature he’s done that I care for except for 9, and 9 is awesome. Based on these images and what I know of Del Toro’s work, I could see that level of care and emotion being put into Pinocchio, and if he does stick to the original story, it would definitely have that dark, broken, and desperate feel that permeated 9. In fact I could almost become concerned that it might be too depressing.