All this 'Pinocchio'-related news may get a bit confusing so let's take a minute to clarify.
There's a version of 'Pinocchio' currently showing in cinemas. It is live-action and directed by Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone. It has nothing to do with Disney's 1940 feature.
Disney are also in the process of doing their own live-action remake of the animated classic (as they've a tendency to do). Robert Zemeckis will direct with Tom Hanks in talks to play Gepetto.
This latest is different again. It is a stop-motion adaptation of the Carlo Collodi fairy tale novel. It will be directed by Guillermo del Toro ('The Shape of Water') and is heading to Netflix.
All caught up? Good, because it is confusing. It's like that whole 'Snow White and the Huntsman'-'Mirror Mirror' debacle from a few years back.
Anyway, Netflix has announced the cast for the upcoming feature. And you've got to admit, it looks impressive.
Ewan McGregor will voice Cricket while David Bradley will play Gepetto.
Newcomer Gregory Mann has been cast as Pinocchio.
Other cast members in unconfirmed roles include: Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, Finn Wolfhard, and Cate Blanchett.
John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson and Burn Gorman will also star.
A teaser image of del Toro was also shared via Twitter.
Introducing the epic cast of @RealGDT's stop-motion PINOCCHIO film:
Newcomer Gregory Mann as Pinocchio
Ewan McGregor as Cricket
David Bradley as Gepetto
Plus:
Tilda Swinton
Christoph Waltz
Finn Wolfhard
Cate Blanchett
John Turturro
Ron Perlman
Tim Blake Nelson
Burn Gorman pic.twitter.com/Jo5HtfdVc4— Netflix Tudum (@NetflixTudum) August 19, 2020
The film will be a musical take on 'Pinocchio' set during the rise of Fascism in Mussolini’s Italy. That description alone is giving us 'Pan's Labyrinth' vibes (also directed by del Toro), so who knows how dark the movie will get.
Netflix will release the film in 2021.