Guillermo Del Toro Says His Version of ‘Pinocchio’ a ‘Brutalist Fable’
Pinocchio isnāt just for children (and Disneyās streaming platform) anymore. Recently, director Guillermo Del Toro said heās creating a darker, version of this film, even calling it a ābrutalist fableā for the subscription service, Netflix. Hereās what we learned about the upcoming Netflix release, created by The Shape of Waterās director.
Netflix is creating its own version of āPinocchioā
Disney may be remaking a slew of their iconic animated films, but Netflix is answering back with a stop-motion masterpiece of their own. This one deals with the lovable, wooden boy named Pinocchio, his father figure, and his āconscienceā named Jiminy Cricket.Ā
However, this adaptation of Pinocchio is based closely on the Italian story, The Adventures of Pinocchio. As a result, it will hold a few darker themes, excluded from Disneyās animated movie released in 1940. That is primarily because this movie will be the brain-child of director and writer, Guillermo Del Toro.
āThe Shape of Waterā director Guillermo Del Toro is the mastermind behind Netflixās āPinocchioā
Fans may know him for working on films like Panās Labyrinth, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and The Shape of Water. However, Guillermo Del Toro had his sights set on a Pinocchio remake for a few years now. It wasnāt until 2018 that the stop-motion picture was officially picked up by Netflix.
āThroughout his distinguished career, Guillermo has exhibited mastery in inspiring people through his magical worlds filled with unforgettable and magnificent characters, from the monsters in Panās Labyrinth to the aquatic beast in The Shape of Water,ā Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family at Netflix, said in a statement. āWe are incredibly excited to expand our relationship with Guillermo and we know that his deeply touching vision for bringing Pinocchio to life on Netflix will be embraced by audiences the world over.ā
The director of this film calls his version a ābrutalist fableā
What makes Netflixās version of Pinocchio different from Disneyās? For starters, this version is created using stop-motion animation. For one interview, Guillermo Del Toro explained his personal connection to Pinocchio. That will, ultimately, be reflected in the adaptation of the story.
āTo me, Pinocchio, very much like Frankenstein, is a blank canvas in which learning the curve of what the world is and what being human is are very attractive to do as a story,ā Guillermo Del Toro said, according to CinemaBlend.
āIām very attracted to it because, thematically ā and I donāt want to spoil what the movieās about ā itās about something that is in all of my movies, which is choice,ā he continued. āThatās a theme that is very dear to my heart. I think [earlier versions of] the story, and Collodiās in particular, are very repressive. Itās essentially a very brutalist fable about what a sin disobedience is. And I think disobedience is the beginning of the will and the beginning of choice.ā
Pinocchio is expected to premiere on Netflix within the next few years, (some predict 2021.) However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have delayed production. Until then, fans can binge-watch other animated films on the streaming platform. That includes Disneyās Princess and the Frog, Disney and Pixarās Incredibles 2, and Dreamworkās Kung Fu Panda 2.Ā
Disneyās version of Pinocchio is available on their subscription service, Disney+.