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Sam Mendes eyeing up live-action Pinocchio movie – report

Pinocchio-Disney-082416
Disney

Sam Mendes is reportedly in early talks to direct a live-action remake of Pinocchio.

The Skyfall helmer is the latest filmmaker Disney is lining up to tackle one if its live reboots, according to Deadline.

If he takes the role, he’ll be following in the footsteps of The Jungle Book filmmaker Jon Favreau, who’s also directing The Lion King, and Bill Condon, who shot the new Beauty and the Beast.

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Chris Weitz has penned the Pinocchio script, about a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, and is also producing the movie through his company Depth of Field.

In August (16), it was reported that American Beauty director Mendes, who won an Oscar for the 1999 movie, was gearing up to film a live-action reboot of James and the Giant Peach, though nothing more has been said on the matter.

Disney’s live-action remakes have become a big box office draw in recent years, with Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella kicking off the trend in 2015, which starred Lily James as the title princess.

The studio’s Maleficent also fared well the year before, a film which told the story of Sleeping Beauty from villain Maleficent’s point of view. Maleficent actress Angelina Jolie has signed on for the second installment, though shooting has yet to start.

Beauty and the Beast, which has British stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the lead roles, grossed $1.2 billion worldwide, while The Jungle Book took $966.5 million.

Also in the works is Dumbo, with Tim Burton confirmed as director and a cast that includes Eva Green, Colin Farrell and Michael Keaton. Live-action takes on classics such as Mulan, Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid are also on the cards.

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Director Guy Ritchie is also moving on from his recently panned King Arthur: Legend of the Sword with a live-action version of Aladdin.

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