Guillermo del Toro Is Directing Netflix's 'Pinocchio'
Guillermo del Toro already has multiple Academy Awards on his mantel, and now the famed filmmaker is partnering with Netflix for a new stop-motion musical version of children's-favorite, Pinocchio, Variety reports. The project will serve as del Toro's animated feature film directing debut.
Set in the 1930s, the familiar tale centers around a puppet who desires to be a real live boy.
“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,” said del Toro in a statement. “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.”
The film sees del Toro collaborating with the Jim Henson Company and ShadowMachine (Bojack Horseman), while Lisa Henson, ShadowMachine’s Alex Bulkley, Corey Campodonico, and Gary Ungar of Exile Entertainment have been tapped to produce alongside Blanca Lista. Patrick McHale will co-write the script with del Toro, and Mark Gustafson will co-direct, also with Guillermo.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Guillermo has exhibited mastery in inspiring people through his magical worlds filled with unforgettable and magnificent characters, from the monsters in ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ to the aquatic beast in ‘The Shape of Water,'” Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family at Netflix, said in a statement. “We are incredibly excited to expand our relationship with Guillermo and we know that his deeply touching vision for bringing Pinocchio to life on Netflix will be embraced by audiences the world over.”
For more on Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Pinocchio adaptation for Netflix, visit Variety.
In other news, Netflix is being accused of targeting black users with misleading posters.