Back in July, we reported that filmmakerPaul Thomas Andersonhas signed on to write the screenplay for Warner Bros.' live action adaptation ofRobert Downey Jr.‘sPinocchio, and there was a possibility that he may direct as well. We haven’t heard anything further regarding the project since then, but now a new report claims that the studio will have to continue its search for a director. The Wrap’sJeff Sneiderrevealed yesterday that he heardPaul Thomas Andersonis no longer directingPinocchio.
It isn’t known if this means the filmmaker has stepped aside from writing the screenplay as well, or if he had even started work on the script yet. The original report revealed thatRobert Downey Jr.andPaul Thomas Andersonhave been friends for a long time, and they had been searching for a project that they could both collaborate on.Robert Downey Jr.was initially set to star inPaul Thomas Anderson’s last film,Inherent Vice, but he was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts withAvengers: Age of Ultron.
BeforePaul Thomas Andersoncame aboard, the screenplay was previously worked on by Michael Mitnick (The Giver),Bryan Fuller(Hannibal) andJane Goldman(Kingsman: The Secret Service). The project has been in development since 2012, withTim Burtonattached to direct at one point.Ben Stillerentering talks to direct in 2013, but a deal never materialized. It isn’t known if the studio has a list of potential replacements to take the helm, now thatPaul Thomas Andersonis moving on.
The project got a new lease on life thanks to the success of severalDisney live action moviesthat reimagined children’s movie classics, such as Disney’sMaleficentandAlice in Wonderland. Disney is also developing their ownPinocchio live action movie, and The Jim Henson Company also hasGuillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchioin the works, a 3D stop motion animated version of the classic tale. Very little is known about the other projects that are in the works, and it isn’t clear which will move forward first.
Robert Downey Jr.will produce with his wife and Team Downey partnerSusan Downey, alongside Dan Jinks. No details were given about this adaptation, based on Carlo Collodi’s classic novel about a wooden puppet who desperately wants to become a human boy. There have been a number of differentmovie adaptationsover the years, including the 1940 animated classicPinocchio,Roberto Benigni’s 2002 live-action adaptation and countless others. Who do you think should directPinocchio, now thatPaul Thomas Andersonhas moved on?
