The classic puppet fable is coming to the big screen in live action

Disney is on a live-action movie kick after the success of Maleficent from last year and Cinderella from last month, and now Deadline reports that director Peter Hedges has been brought on by the Mouse House Disney to helm the adaptation of the 1940 cartoon, itself based on the Carlo Collodi’s 1883 children’s book.

The cheeky marionette will be joining fellow animated Disney characters like Dumbo, Mulan, and Winnie the Pooh, who are all receiving respective updates.

Creature feature director Guillermo del Toro originally wanted to direct a stop-motion version of the story back in 2008, but Disney passed on the idea. Wouldn’t be the first time a big-name studio passed on a project from the visionary director. No word on stars or a release date just yet, but keep your ears peeled for more news.

– Dylan “CineMasai” Green