Guillermo del Toro will Co-Direct PINOCCHIO with Mark Gustafson

Last year it was revealed that Guillermo del Toro would be developing a stop-motion animated feature film adaptation of the dark tale of Pinocchio. We've found out today the Del Toro is set to co-direct the film project along side Fantastic Mr. Fox animation-director Mark Gustafson.

The 3D stop-motion film is based on the edition of Carlo Collodi's classic tale illustrated by Gris Grimly, and is set to be developed at The Jim Henson Company. When this project was first announced, Grimly was actually set to co-direct the film with Gustafson, not Del Toro. I imagine it was an easier sell to investors having Del-Toro at the helm. Grimly did have a hand in writing the story with Del Toro and Matthew Robbins. The script itself comes was written by Robbins.

Del Toro recently worked with DreamWorks on Puss In Boots, Kung Fu Panda 2 and the upcoming Rise of the Guardians. He was also a creative consultant on Megamind. But Pinocchio will be the first time he directs an animated feature.

According to the press release, the film will be a retelling of the classic story in which "The puppet Pinocchio embarks on a series of extraordinary and thrilling adventures, proving himself to be as indestructible as his love for his father."

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company had this to say,

Guillermo has been so passionate about this project from its inception and it is an honor to have him bring his unique blend of live action and animation experience to this well-loved story, collaborating with the talented Mark Gustafson.

I'm looking forard to seeing what del Toro's vision of this story will be. I have a feeling it will have some terrifying moments. Hell! The original Disney film was full of nightmarish visuals! 

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