Tim Burton's 'Pinocchio' - Robert Dowey, Jr. to Star

[Walts Ghost]

Warner Bros., Tim Burton Courting Robert Downey Jr. to Star in Live-Action 'Pinocchio'

Tim Burton's interest in tackling a live-action version of Pinocchio is heating up, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. And Burton's choice to topline the movie is Robert Downey Jr. as Geppetto, the woodcarver who creates the puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy.

The Pinocchio story was first published in an Italian children's book written by Carlo Collodi and has been adapted several times, including the 1940 animated Disney classic.

In the version being developed at Warner Bros., Geppetto embarks on a quest to reunite with his missing marionette. The well-regarded script is by Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller. Dan Jinks (American Beauty) is producing.

Neither Burton nor Downey has a deal with Warners, but sources say Burton is keen to direct the film and has begun talks with the studio, so it's just a question of whether Pinocchio will be his next movie. The Alice in Wonderland director also is eyeing an adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children at Fox, among other projects. Warners wants to move quickly with Pinocchio, so if Burton chooses to make another movie first, the studio might move on to other directors.

According to two well-placed sources, Downey has expressed serious interest in the project (and in working with Burton), but his busy schedule must still be worked out. Warner Bros. is hoping that Burton and Downey commit soon so the project can be fast-tracked.

If deals are made, Pinocchio would return Downey to Warners, which is behind his Sherlock Holmes franchise, the latest installment of which currently is in theaters. Downey also starred in the 2010 Warners comedy Due Date.

Burton is currently at work finishing Warner Bros.' Dark Shadows, based on the cult television series. That film is set for release in May.

Downey is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson. Burton is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.

There are several other Pinocchio projects in various stages of development, including a stop-motion version being shepherded by Guillermo Del Toro.

Source

[jacobsever]

I'm getting tired of all these Tim Burton disney films.

Only thing I enjoy of his is Beetlejuice, Mars Attacks, and Big Fish.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

I'm getting tired of all these Tim Burton disney films.

Only thing I enjoy of his is Beetlejuice, Mars Attacks, and Big Fish.

Funny considering this isn't a Disney film...

Tim Burton is still a fine director, and I'm looking forward to see him teaming up with Downey, Jr. It'll be interesting to see him working with a leading man that isn't Johnny Depp for once.

[jacobsever]

Considering Pinnochio was made more famous as a Disney cartoon, I correlate Pinnochio = Disney.

[MarkJ801]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

It'll be interesting to see him working with a leading man that isn't Johnny Depp for once.

Until he casts him as a side character and focuses the entire story on him.

[X400]

is Depp going to be Pinocchio?




looking forward to anything burton or downey

[DesertFoxGoggles]

Tim Burton needs to go back to doing original ideas of his, not adapting everything and everything's nan. It's just annoying now.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Funny considering this isn't a Disney film...

No, it's a Warner film, who also think they "own" Burton after Batman--
And, since I'm guessing this's the Pinocchio that Guillermo del Toro didn't have time for, Warner thought they could quickly plug in "their" Tim to make "their" Alice in Wonderland.

...What do we do with an entire city that thought Alice was "good" just because it made some stupid money?

[Foggy]

Who's willing to bet this isn't the dark Russian fairytale version, and more comedic, quirky, BORING bullshit Tim Burton consistently pulls out of his anus!

[Walts Ghost]

It doesn't sound like Burton is even involved anymore. Did you guys read the update? I'd much rather have Stiller direct it.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Serious Oscar buzz for Ben Stiller this year for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. No b.s.

Rightfully so too, if what I've heard about it is true.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Tim Burton really is the biggest hack.

Hardly. He's made some excellent films.

[The Mad Kiwi]

I'll have to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty to determine how Stiller can juggle humor and drama behind the camera, so until then, I'm not sure what to think about the possibility of him directing this.

I didn't have a problem with Burton being attached. Burton's the type of director that's as good as the script given. Some directors can take a mediocre script and direct every last ounce of it to make it something special. Burton isn't like that; Alice in Wonderland's screenplay really dragged the rest of that film down despite how brilliant the casting and technical qualities were. I still manage to find all of Burton's flicks entertaining to varying degrees, even if he's pretty predictable.

I figured with Bryan Fuller and Jane Goldman penning the screenplay, it'd be a safe bet with Burton since Fuller and Goldman are excellent writers. A part of me's afraid Stiller will try to tone down the whimsy Fuller and Goldman undoubtedly brought to the table and go too broad. I'll be watching this project very intently.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by The Mad Kiwi

I'll have to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty to determine how Stiller can juggle humor and drama behind the camera, so until then, I'm not sure what to think about the possibility of him directing this.

I didn't have a problem with Burton being attached. Burton's the type of director that's as good as the script given. Some directors can take a mediocre script and direct every last ounce of it to make it something special. Burton isn't like that; Alice in Wonderland's screenplay really dragged the rest of that film down despite how brilliant the casting and technical qualities were. I still manage to find all of Burton's flicks entertaining to varying degrees, even if he's pretty predictable.

I figured with Bryan Fuller and Jane Goldman penning the screenplay, it'd be a safe bet with Burton since Fuller and Goldman are excellent writers. A part of me's afraid Stiller will try to tone down the whimsy Fuller and Goldman undoubtedly brought to the table and go too broad. I'll be watching this project very intently.

I think once 'Walter Mitty' is released, you'll quickly lose this doubt.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Hardly. He made some good films 15-20 years ago.

Fixed.

[KingRad]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Fixed.

What did you not like about Big Fish?

[dallywhitty]

Tim Burton frequently collaborates with the same people = hack
Christopher Nolan frequently collaborates with the same people = genius

Interesting. It's also funny how everybody loved Sweeney Todd when it came out but are now pretending it doesn't exist because that would mean admitting that he still makes good films.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Tim Burton frequently collaborates with the same people = hack
Christopher Nolan frequently collaborates with the same people = genius

Interesting. It's also funny how everybody loved Sweeney Todd when it came out but are now pretending it doesn't exist because that would mean admitting that he still makes good films.

It's very interesting; I always love to read the way people respond to any news regarding Burton because it always ends up with the same, obvious comments on collaboration and "depression".

Burton has slipped up a bit recently, but, for me, he still makes very entertaining films -- Dark Shadows, for all its major faults, was still funny and quirky enough to be...well, above average. So what if he re-casts Depp and Carter in each of his films? They're both fantastic actors and really suit -- and compliment -- his style. Ditto for Elfman.

[yeslek]

Originally Posted by octagon

There's no question he's become a one-trick-at-best-pony over the years but matierial really isn't his problem.

Off the top of my head I can't recall too many movies that pick up Geppetto's story. Hook wasn't just a retelling of Peter Pan, it was actually a pretty interesting, original idea. This could be fairly interesting and original too.

Burton's problem isn't that he never does original stuff. His problem is even when he does original stuff he always does it in the exact same way.

if it ends up in the same vein as Hook, I'd be happy

though I was a kid when I saw Hook so not sure if I'd love it as much seeing it fresh as an adult...I'd appreciate it at least, I mean its definitely not a bad movie

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

I wouldn't say they're wrong about this one though. They said the same thing about 'Life of Pi' last year, and it was true. I think there's a good chance 'Walter Mitty' could be that movie this year for Fox.

Life of Pi was kinda over rated/hyped though (IMO at least)

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Tim Burton frequently collaborates with the same people = hack
Christopher Nolan frequently collaborates with the same people = genius

Interesting. It's also funny how everybody loved Sweeney Todd when it came out but are now pretending it doesn't exist because that would mean admitting that he still makes good films.

what, Sweeny Todds brilliant (but then again I have a soft spot for movies where everyone dies/ends up miserable in the end....especially to music )

Its the best of Burton's recent attempts IMO
But then again the tone of the source material was perfectly placed for Burtons 'dark 'n quirky' style

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Hoth

What did you not like about Big Fish?

Of 'Frankenweenie', which is one his best films.