It has been some 82 years since we first watched Pinocchio on his trail to become a ‘real boy’.
And now, with The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast getting live action versions, why not Pinocchio?
Pinocchio
This live-action film will closely follow the plot of the 1940 animated version.
According to Disney, the premise of the film is:
In an Italian village, the wooden puppet Pinocchio is brought to life by the Blue Fairy and seeks the life of adventure while striving to be a real boy.
The original film itself was based on an 1883 Italian book by Carlo Collodi, The Adventures of Pinocchio.
Pinocchio, the live-action version, is set to be released on September 8, 2022 exclusively on Disney+.
Cast
Much like the live-action remakes of recent times, Pinocchio has a star-studded cast lined up.
Geppetto, the Italian woodcarver and toymaker who builds and raises Pinocchio, is played by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks.
The title character, Pinocchio, is voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor).
Cynthia Erivo (Harriet) plays The Blue Fairy, who ultimately brings Pinocchio to life and guides him through his journey.
The sly owner of Pleasure Island, the Coachman, is set to be played by Luke Evans (Beauty and the Beast).
Other notable cast members are Keegan-Michael Key (The Prom), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Giuseppe Battiston (The Complexity of Happiness), Sheila Atim (The Multiverse of Madness).
Development
The musical film will be directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis, who helmed the Back To The Future trilogy.
The music for the film has been composed by Alan Silvestri, a long time collaborator of Zemeckis.
Silvestri along with Glen Ballard are set to write several new songs for the adaptation. This will include a version of When You Wish Upon a Star, from the original film, which will be performed by Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy.
You can see the new trailer below: