Tom Hanks May Play Geppetto in Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’

Walt Disney Studios has been pushing out films left and right in recent years with their acquisition of both Marvel and Lucasfilms. Alongside the Star Wars and superhero movies are slew of live action remakes of their most popular films. The Jungle Book, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast have seen this treatment but they’re not stopping there. There has been teasers for the upcoming live action Aladdin remake, a full trailer for Jon Favreau’s The Lion King and Tim Burton’s Dumbo, and development for a Mulan remake. Another one of the planned films, which seems to be in its early developmental stages, is a live action Pinocchio, with Tom Hanks believed to now be in the project.

The original Disney Pinocchio, released in 1940, followed the story of the titular wooden puppet who comes to life one night in the workshop of his lonely creator, Geppetto. He tries to live a normal life, with the ultimate goal of becoming a human boy, but vice and various other obstacles and danger make that difficult. It is a classic tale and regarded as one of Disney’s best animated films.

Reportedly, Hanks has been eyed at for the role of Geppetto in the remake. He would seem like a great fit for the role especially after his recent performance as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks along with the fact that the writer and director of both Paddington movies, Paul King, will direct it. With these numerous remakes of their many beloved classics, Disney has been looking for the best of the best in terms of talent and Hanks is no exception, having loaned his voice to Woody in the Toy Story films. Neither Hanks nor Disney have spoken on his participation in Pinocchio.