Disney's 'Dumbo' Movie News: Tim Burton Set to Direct Live Action Film
Disney is at it again. After "Into the Woods," which was a live action adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical featuring different fairy tale characters and the upcoming live action of "Cinderella," it is once again venturing into transforming its classic animated movies into live action with the 1941 film "Dumbo." Disney has signed Tim Burton to direct the new movie.
Tim Burton is known for directing "Alice in Wonderland" in 2010. He is also producing the film's sequel "Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass" which will be released on May 27, 2016. His other recent work include "Dark Shadows," "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," and "Big Eyes." He is currently working on "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, which will be released in March 2016.
According to BBC News, the film will be about Dumbo, the young elephant who was ridiculed because of his huge ears. It will combine CGI and live action.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Ehren Kruger of the "Transformers" franchise will write the film's script. Kruger will also produce the film with Justin Springer, of "Tron: Legacy" and "Oblivion."
The movie has no release date yet. There are no casting rumors and other plot details yet.
In other reports, however, an animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has written an open letter to the director requesting him to consider changing the ending of the movie. She said: "We're hopeful that in your adaptation of Dumbo, the young elephant and his mother can have a truly happy ending by living out their lives at a sanctuary instead of continuing to be imprisoned and abused in the entertainment industry."
Disney has been doing well with fairytale movies these past few years. "Alice in Wonderland" earned $1.02 billion worldwide, "Maleficent" made $758.4 million, and "Into the Woods" earned $173 million.
The studio is due to release "Cinderella" this month, which was directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Lily James and Richard Madden. It is also making another animated film, "The Jungle Book" to be directed by Jon Favreau. Scarlett Johansson and Idris Elba will voice for the film.
