Pathe Joins Del Toro & Jim Henson for 3D Pinocchio

HOLLYWOOD: Guillermo Del Toro, The Jim Henson Company and Pathe have teamed up to develop and produce a 3D stop-motion animated version of Pinocchio.

The film, which is set to go into production later this year, will be based on the edition of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale illustrated by Gris Grimly. Grimly will co-direct with Mark Gustafson, the animation director on The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Del Toro and his frequent partner Matthew Robbins have been developing this new version of Pinocchio over the past year, and Robbins wrote the film’s script. Del Toro will produce the film, along with Lisa Henson and Jason Lust of The Jim Henson Company and Allison Abbate of The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.

Del Toro said: "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."

"Stop-motion animation will be a new style of telling this well-known tale, a hand-crafted style with which we were eager to work since it requires a high level of artistry and craftsmanship that is similar to the work of The Jim Henson Company," commented Lisa Henson, the CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

"There is a perfect match between the visionary world of Guillermo, the story of Pinocchio and Gris’ wonderful illustrations," added Francois Ivernel, the executive VP of Pathe. "The talent and experience of the Henson team will ensure that Gris, Mark and Guillermo’s vision comes to life in the most thrilling way."