David Farnor | On 01, Jun 2022

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…” That’s the sound of Tom Hanks stepping into Gepetto’s shoes for Disney’s live-action take on Pinocchio – and a new trailer gives us a glimpse of the film.

Robert Zemeckis directs the new version of the classic film, which again charts the journey of a wooden puppet embarking on an adventure to become a real boy. Pinocchio will be voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide and conscience. Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy. Keegan-Michael Key is Honest John. Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman.

The film will premiere on 8th September, which Disney calls “Disney+ Day”, marking the anniversary of its subscription platform’s launch. Until then, here’s the new video:

 

First look: Tom Hanks and Pinocchio in Disney+ remake

10th March 2022

What would Pinocchio look like in live-action? That’s the question Disney+ will answer this September, with its new retelling of the classic fairytale – and a new image gives us a look at what to expect.

Robert Zemeckis directs the film, which again charts the journey of a wooden puppet embarking on an adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood-carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”. Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy. Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John. Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman.

The film is one of two new takes on Pinocchio arriving on two different streaming services this year, with Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion version of the tale also on the way to Netflix in time for Christmas. You can see the first teaser for that here. In the meantime, here’s your first look at Tom Hanks and Pinocchio in Geppetto’s workshop:

 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Cynthia Erivo join Disney+ Pinocchio remake

30th January 2021

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Cynthia Erivo are leading a new wave of additions to the cast of Disney’s live-action remake of Pinocchio.

The film, which was announced last year, will once again tell the classic story of a wooden puppet who comes to life and, with the help of a certain cricket as his moral conscience, tries to prove himself worthy of becoming a real boy.

Robert Zemeckis is directing the film (and co-writing it with Chris Weitz), with Tom Hanks already set to play Gepetto and Luke Evans set to play The Coachman.

Now, the ensemble’s getting some added star power, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt cast as Jiminy Cricket and Cynthia Erivo cast as the Blue Fairy. Other additions include Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Flora and Ulysses) as the voice of Pinocchio, Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Honest John, and Lorraine Bracco as the voice of Sofia the Seagull, a new character.

Production on the project will begin this month in the UK, with the film set to debut on Disney+.

Luke Evans joins Tom Hanks in Disney+ Pinocchio remake

30th January 2021

Luke Evans has joined the cast of Disney’s live-action Pinocchio remake.

The film, which was announced last year, will once again tell the classic story of a wooden puppet who comes to life and, with the help of a certain cricket as his moral conscience, tries to prove himself worthy of becoming a real boy. The 1940 animation is not the only adaptation of the 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, and Disney’s new take on the tale comes as several other filmmakers adapt the story, including Guillermo del Toro making a stop-motion version for Netflix and Matteo Garrone releasing his own live-action incarnation.

Disney, though, has undoubted star power to back up its animated legacy, with Robert Zemeckis directing the film (and also co-writing it with Chris Weitz) and Tom Hanks set to play Gepetto. As well as the Castaway and Forrest Gump duo reuniting, the project will also mark a reunion between Zemeckis and composer Alan Silvestri, who worked with the director on The Polar Express.

Now, there’s some added star power joining the project, with Deadline reporting that Evans will play The Coachman in the film. Evans is no stranger to the House of Mouse, having memorably played Gaston in the live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Disney confirmed at its Investor Day in December that Pinocchio will debut on Disney+ not in cinemas. Production on the film is expected to begin this spring.

Add to Watchlist