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Tim Burton Wants Robert Downey Jr as Geppetto in 'Pinocchio' Movie

by Alex Billington
January 6, 2012
Source: THR

Say what? This is an odd little news story to arrive this Friday evening. THR is reporting that Tim Burton is hotly pursuing Robert Downey Jr. for a live-action version of Pinocchio in development at Warner Bros. Now, apparently this is all just being hatched, as they say "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" this Pinocchio movie will be next for him after Dark Shadows. Downey apparently "has expressed serious interest in the project", but also has a busy schedule. Typical Hollywood dealmaking.

While there is still Guillermo del Toro's 3D stop-motion Pinocchio movie in the works, and a prequel spec in the works at Shawn Levy's company 21 Laps. But this version is the one that screenwriter Bryan Fuller (of "Star Trek: Voyager", "Dead Like Me", "Pushing Daisies", "Heroes") sold to Warner Bros back in 2010, at the time which we even mentioned: "Fuller has an interesting style in the same vein as Tim Burton, but with brighter colors and more quirky than gothic characters." Obviously Burton took an interest and if he can swing RDJ, everything could turn out great. But who would he cast as young Pinocchio, a wooden boy?

The story of Pinocchio traces back to The Adventures of Pinocchio, an 1883 story by Carlo Collodi. Carved from a piece of pine by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, he was created as a wooden puppet, but somehow dreamed of becoming a real boy. In this live-action version being developed by Warner Bros, Geppetto embarks on a quest to reunite with his missing marionette son. While it seems like none of this information is set in stone yet, it definitely sounds like a project that may be coming together (or may not), so we'll keep an ear out for updates as they arrive. Anyone think this will turn out great?

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News, Rumors

From around the web:

Xerxexx

I'm kind of tired of this story...how many times do we need yet another adaptation?
- DAVIDPD
  
  So true, Xerxexx. These nostalgia flicks are sometimes great, but they are playing at nostalgia. How about something truly original? Playing it safe is one thing, but this trend has run its bloody course.
  - Xerxexx
    
    I agree. Plus Tim Burton has been very meh lately.
El Hoopso

They'll never top the Jonathon Taylor ZThomas version from the 90's. That was most certainly a modern classic
Jmpinzones

Is Tim Burton empty of original ideas? It's seems so.
Mrs. Featherbottom

lame.
space monkey

It does seem as tho burton has been lacking in original ideas lately. Sweeney todd, alice in wonderland, and dark shadows.
Big Boss

Yep. The wheels are starting to fall off now..lol
Azrael_313

Burton hasn't had an original idea since the 90s, I'm not counting Corpse Bride since it was so boring I didnt even finish it.
KyleRobinson

DON'T DO IT RDJ!
Max Renn

Was Johnny Depp unavailable? Wow.
- Dustin Asher
  
  Here here, stop the presses!
TTumMM

I miss 90's Burton he was full of fresh and original. Today Burton is lame and boring.
mawria

Honestly? Two Snow Whites in one year and two Pinocchios in two years? Isn't there anybody negotiating about Cinderellas or Sleeping Beauties?? Don't care, not interested... (but anything Downey Jr.'s in, I'm in too.)