'Dumbo' Movie News Update: Tim Burton To Direct Live Action Version; Will Johnny Depp Be Cast?
Tim Burton and Disney will team up for the second time for the live action version of "Dumbo."
Variety is reporting that Burton will direct the film, which is being written by Ehren Kruger, who wrote the last three "Transformers" movies.
Burton directed the first live action Disney film back in 2010 when he made "Alice in Wonderland." However, it was not expected that he would return to Disney, especially after he decided not to return for "Alice in Wonderland 2."
It will be interesting to see who Burton casts in the film, especially since he has been known for working with similar talent. He has worked with Johnny Depp on almost all his films and it will be interesting to see if the two reteam after two films without Depp. Depp was not in "Frankenweenie" or in "Big Eyes." Most of the time, when the director and actor have worked together they have made box office and critical hits. Other actors who Burton has worked with several times include Eva Green and Helena Bonham Carter, from whom he recently separated.
The latest "Dumbo" film will be produced by Kruger and Justin Springer, who was behind "Tron: Legacy" as well as "Oblivion."
The movie is expected to follow the original story which follows a ridiculed baby circus elephant, who, with the help of a mouse, works to achieve his full potential. Burton's film is expected to be a mix of live action and animation.
The new adaptation will follow "Maleficent," "Oz: The Great and Powerful," "Cinderella" and "Alice in Wonderland." Since 2010, Disney has been developing several of its animated classics into live-action features. "Cinderella" will be released this week and it is expected to open with $60 million.
"Alice in Wonderland" made $334 million back in 2010 while "Maleficent" made $241 million and "Oz: The Great Powerful" grossed $234 million. The studio is developing a new "Jungle Book," and is also developing "Beauty and the Beast," starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans, which is slated for 2016.
Burton is currently working on his latest film "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," which is an adaptation of Ransom Riggs's novel. The film is slated to star Kim Dickens, Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson and Asa Butterfield. The director recently worked on the Indie film "Big Eyes" for the Weinstein Company and is also known for his work on "Sweeney Todd," "Ed Wood," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Big Fish." He has also directed animated films "Corpse Bride" and "Frankenweenie." The director has been nominated for two Academy Awards for his work on his animated films.
There is no release date at the moment for "Dumbo" but Disney is likely to announce the date after the release of "Cinderella."
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