Tom Hanks and a Puppet Feature in the First Look at Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Pinocchio’
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays the wooden boy who dreams of being real, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key and Luke Evans are also among the cast.
Tom Hanks as Geppetto in 'Pinocchio,' exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Carlo Collodi’s original story ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ has been adapted so many times at this point that you start to wonder whether anything truly new can be brought to it. Robert Zemeckis is hoping there’s still some magic to be found via his new live action/CG movie, 'Pinocchio,' and the first image is now online.
Tom Hanks is once again reuniting with his ‘Cast Away’/’Forrest Gump'/’The Polar Express’ director Zemeckis for this latest blend of actors and effects. Hanks here plays Geppetto, the woodcarver who builds Pinocchio and treats him as if he were his own son.
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’s Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will be bringing vocal life to the title character, who dreams of becoming a real boy and heads out on a quest to make that happen.
Also either acting or providing voices here? Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Pinocchio’s guide Jiminy Cricket; Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key as “Honest” John; Lorraine Bracco as a new character, Sofia the Seagull; and Luke Evans as The Coachman. Some will come to the puppet lad’s aid, while others have more nefarious plans in mind.
Whether Zemeckis choose to lean into the darker sides of the story (animal transformations, time spent inside a whale, the main character threatened with being turned into firewood) remains to be seen.
It’s also a slight shame to see the movie arriving on Disney+, as Zemeckis has been a reliable source of giant-screen entertainment and with the scope of a magical tale like this, it’s tempting to wonder what it would look like in huge IMAX scale.
(L to R) Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks excepting their Oscars for 'Forrest Gump' at the 67th Academy Awards.
Collodi’s tale was originally published in serial form as ‘The Story of a Puppet’ way back in July 1881. The publication stopped at Chapter 15, but popular demand meant it resumed in February 1882. Re-released in single book form in 1883, it has been hailed as one of the greatest works of Italian literature.
And filmmakers have flocked to put their own stamp on the story, including Roberto Benigni, Steve Barron, and Matteo Garrone.
Plus, let’s not forget probably the most famous movie version (at least in the States): Disney’s 1940 animated release, which won Oscars for its song and score. So, no pressure everyone else.
‘Paddington’s Simon Farnaby worked on the script alongside ‘American Pie’s Chris Weitz and Zemeckis himself, while the director’s regular musical collaborator, Alan Silvestri, is providing the music.
Zemeckis’ take faces competition from another version, a stop-motion animated movie that Guillermo del Toro is working on for Netflix, with a December release planned. His movie has Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, David Bradley, and John Turturro among its voice cast.
Fortunately for Zemeckis, he not only has an earlier planned date (September, according to Disney), but he has the considerable resources of the house that Walt built behind him. Still… in the battle of the puppets, there are always strings attached.
