Tom Hanksis being eyed to play Geppetto in Disney’s live-actionPinocchiomovie and the two-time Oscar winner is in early talks to take on the role, Collider has exclusively learned.
PaddingtonfilmmakerPaul Kingis directing andRogue OnescribeChris Weitzis producing with his Depth of Field partnerAndrew Miano. It’s unclear who the script will ultimately be credited to, though sources say thatSimon Farnabyhas been tapped to pen the latest draft of the script after working with King on thePaddingtonfilms.Jack Thorne(Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) was the previous writer on the project, while Weitz and King also had a hand in thePinocchioscript. The film is slated to have a budget in the $150 million range, and production is slated to start next summer.
The classic animated film, which Disney originally released in 1940, follows a living puppet who must prove himself worthy in order to become a real boy. The character of Geppetto is a master toymaker as well as a widower who longs for a son. He fashions Pinocchio out of wood and wishes upon a star for him to come to life. The Blue Fairy gifts Pinocchio the spark of life but he remains a wooden boy. Naturally, Geppetto is protective of Pinocchio, prompting the boy to set out and see the world for himself. Jiminy Cricket tries to steer him on the right path but Pinocchio is forced to find his own way. Geppetto ultimately goes in search of him, clashing with Stromboli, the villainous producer of a marionette show, as well as a giant sea beast named Monstro.
To quote fromTHR’s April 2017 story aboutWill Smithbeing in “early talks” to play the Genie inAladdin, “he remains a high-salary player, so a deal is far from a sure thing.” The same can be said here for Hanks, who seems perfect for the part but doesn’t come cheap, though Disney is no stranger to paying star salaries and the filmdoesoffer Hanks the opportunity to work with the director of what is, technically, the most critically-acclaimed film of all time. It’s true. King is coming off ofPaddington 2, which boasts a perfect 100 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s virtually unheard of, and the universal admiration for that movie helped King secure another high-profile studio gig in addition toPinocchio, as he’s also attached to directaWilly Wonkaorigin storyfor Warner Bros. It makes sense that A-list talent like Hanks would be lining up to work with King, especially given his Walt Disney-like knack for family films.
Indeed, while Hanks continues to voice Woody in theToy Storymovies, he really hasn’t appeared in a pure family film likePinocchiosince 2004’s motion-capture animatedThe Polar Express, asSaving Mr. Banks, in which he playedWalt Disneyhimself, skewed a little older. Instead, Hanks has been sticking to prestige dramas of late, includingSteven Spielberg’sThe Post,Clint Eastwood’sSully,Paul Greengrass’Captain Phillipsand Spielberg’sBridge of Spies– none of which, inexplicably, earned him an Oscar nomination. In fact, Hanks hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar since 2000’sCast Away, which seems almost criminal. Perhaps his turn as Gepetto will bring the house down and earn him his first supporting nomination.
Hanks next stars asMister RogersinMarielle Heller’s untitled film about the beloved children’s television personality. He also wrote, produced and stars inAaron Schneider’s upcoming war dramaGreyhound. Disney will release Pixar’sToy Story 4on July 13, 2025. The studio has several live-action remakes on the horizon, including Tim Burton’sDumbo,Jon Favreau’sThe Lion King,Niki Caro’sMulanandGuy Ritchie’sAladdin. That quartet comes on the heels ofBill Condon’sBeauty and the Beast,Robert Stromberg’sMaleficent,David Lowery’sPete’s Dragon,Kenneth Branagh’sCinderellaand Favreau’s gorgeous remake ofThe Jungle Book.Juan Carlos Fresnadillois also developing a live-action remake ofThe Sword in the Stone. Hanks is represented by CAA, and a representative for the actor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Disney had no comment.
