The director for Disney‘s live-action remake of Pinocchio has officially been confirmed: Oscar-winner Robert Zemeckis, who will direct the film and co-write its script with Chris Weitz. Well-known for his work on Back To The Future, The Polar Express, and A Christmas Carol, the seasoned director would be no stranger to bringing an iconic children’s story like Pinocchio to life.

Pinocchio has been in development for awhile, with Paddington director Paul King and 1917 director Sam Mendes originally set for the live-action remake, only to step down from the project for reasons unknown to the public. Details about casting, production times, and release date are currently unknown. However, Disney has several dates reserved for untitled live-action features, ranging from March 21, 2021 to December 15, 2023, with Mulan being the next live-action reboot on March 27, 2020.

Pinocchio, released back in 1940, depicts the story of a wooden boy puppet named Pinocchio, carved by an elderly artist named Geppetto. All the puppet ever dreams of is to be a real boy and, after the magical Blue Fairy grants him life, adventures ensue between Pinocchio and a conscience cricket by his side. As Disney’s second animated feature film, it’s about time the puppet joins the train of Disney’s beloved live action remakes, from Maleficient to Aladdin. Though how they’ll do Jiminy Cricket or bring the horrors of Paradise Island’s donkey scene to life is still a mystery.