Production is underway for the live-action re-imagining of Disney’s 1941 animated classic “Dumbo.” Utilizing state-of-the-art visual effects to portray Dumbo and many of his four-legged counterparts, the movie will be directed by visionary filmmaker Tim Burton. In addition to our first details of the movie, Disney has shared this image of Burton on set.
We’re also receiving our first details of the plot. “Dumbo” introduces Holt Farrier, a former circus star who finds his life turned upside down when he returns from the war. Circus owner Max Medici enlists Holt to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when Holt’s children iscover that Dumbo can fly, persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere and an aerial artist named Colette Marchant swoop in to make the peculiar pachyderm a star.
The film stars Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (“In Bruges,” “The Lobster”), Golden Globe winner Michael Keaton (“Birdman,” “Beetlejuice”), Emmy and Golden Globe winner Danny DeVito (“Batman Returns,” “Big Fish”), BAFTA Award winner and Golden Globe nominee Eva Green (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Dark Shadows”), and introduces Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins in their first film roles. The cast also includes Roshan Seth, DeObia Oparei, Sharon Rooney and Douglas Reith. Katterli Frauenfelder (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Big Eyes”), Derek Frey (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Frankenweenie”), Ehren Kruger (“Ophelia,” “Dream House”) and Justin Springer (“TRON: Legacy”) are producing from a screenplay by Kruger. Nigel Gostelow (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Dark Shadows”) is the executive producer.
Walt Disney’s classic animated tale “Dumbo,” which opened Oct. 23, 1941, won an Oscar for best scoring of a musical picture and was nominated for best original song for “Baby Mine.” Disney has been criticized for it’s many remakes, but the company believes that they will help introduce the old classics to younger audiences as well as many regions of the globe that have never been exposed to Disney’s classic tales.
Burton’s last work as director for Disney was on the animated stop-motion feature film “Frankenweenie,” but he has a long history with The Mosue having worked early in his career as an artist at the studio.
“Dumbo” will be filmed entirely in England, both at Pinewood Studios and Cardington Studios. “Dumbo” is slated for release on March 29, 2019.
Do you have high hope for a “Dumbo” live-action remake?