It’s a stop motion extravaganza, and because it’s Del Toro, yes, it’ll be dark, apparently…
Production is now officially underway on Guillermo Del Toro’s collaboration with The Jim Henson Company on a stop motion version of Pinocchio . And to mark the fact that European film studio Pathe have also now become involved the production has release some images of the maquettes that will feature in the film (above) and a couple of examples of preproduction concept art (below).
According to the official press release: “Guillermo Del Toro and The Jim Henson Company have joined forces with Pathe to develop and produce a 3D stop motion animated version of Pinocchio based on the edition of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale illustrated by Gris Grimly. Grimly will co-direct with Mark Gustafson (Animation Director on The Fantastic Mr Fox ).
“In this new version of one of the world’s best-loved tales, Pinocchio embarks on a series of extraordinary and thrilling adventures, proving himself to be as indestructible as his love for his father.
“Del Toro and his frequent collaborator Matthew Robbins have been developing the screen story over the past year, and Robbins wrote the screenplay. Del Toro will produce with Lisa Henson and Jason Lust of The Jim Henson Company and Allison Abbate ( The Fantastic Mr Fox , The Corpse Bride ). Veteran rock musician and film composer Nick Cave will serve as music consultant for the production.
“‘I believe that our tale of Pinocchio recaptures the darker, more daunting aspects of the book that have been missing from previous film incarnations and takes advantage of all the allegorical aspects of the tale. Gris and Mark have a clear vision of this world. Matthew, the directors and I have constructed an adaptation that I feel enormously proud of,’ said Del Toro.
