Oscar winnersCate Blanchett,Tilda SwintonandChristoph Waltzhave signed on to voice key characters inGuillermo del Toro’sPinocchiomovie at Netflix, which will star newcomerGregory Mannas the young title character.
This version of the timelessCarlo Colloditale is a stop-motion animated feature musical that will featureEwan McGregoras the voice of Jiminy Cricket andDavid Bradleyas the voice of Geppetto. Bradley is best known for playing Argus Filch in theHarry Pottermovies and Walder Frey onGame of Thrones.
Finn Wolfhard(Stranger Things),John Turturro(The Batman),Ron Perlman(Nightmare Alley),Tim Blake Nelson(Watchmen) andBurn Gorman(Enola Holmes) round out the rest of the star-studded voice cast.
Del Toro is co-directing withMark Gustafson(Fantastic Mr. Fox) and the film follows the extraordinary journey of a wooden boy who is magically brought to life by a father’s wish. Set during the rise of Fascism in Mussolini’s Italy, Netflix’s musical is a story of love and disobedience as Pinocchio struggles to live up to his father’s expectations.
Del Toro co-wrote the script withPatrick McHale, and he also co-wrote the song lyrics, while Oscar winnerAlexandre Desplatwill write the score.Gris Grimlycreated the original design for the Pinocchio character, and the film’s puppets are being built by Mackinnon and Saunders (Corpse Bride).
Pinocchiois produced by del Toro,Lisa Hensonof The Jim Henson Company andAlex BulkleyandCorey Campodonicoof ShadowMachine, as well asGary Ungarof Exile Entertainment. Grimly will co-produce alongsideBlanca Listaof The Jim Henson Company. Principal photography began last fall at ShadowMachine’s studio in Portland, Oregon, and production has continued uninterrupted during the pandemic. The film, which is expected to debut in theaters, is also a lifelong passion project for del Toro.
“After years of pursuing this dream project, I found my perfect partner in Netflix. We have spent a long time curating a remarkable cast and crew and have been blessed by continuous support from Netflix to quietly and carefully soldier on, barely missing a beat. We all love and practice animation with great passion and believe it to be the ideal medium to retell this classic story in a completely new way,” del Toro said in a statement.
I love the eclectic voice cast that del Toro has assembled here, but I’m also excited for the live-action Disney movie that hasRobert Zemeckisdirecting andTom Hankspoised to play Geppetto. For more on that rivalPinocchioproject,click here.
