Here’s a sentence you never thought you’d see five years ago: The director of thosePaddingtonmovies isso hot right now. But as it turns out, he really, really is.Paul Kingfirst came to prominence as the director of the British seriesThe Mighty Boosh, and he marked an intriguing choice to helm aPaddingtonmovie based on the lovable bear. But that 2014 film warmed hearts the world over, critics and audiences alike, and King’s sequelPaddington 2has earned similarly rave reviews. Now, King is being courted for big studio projects all over Hollywood, and he’s lined up to bring his compassionate family film POV to the Disney catalogue.
Varietyreports that King is now in talks to directDisney’s live-actionPinocchiomovie, which has been in the works for quite some time.SkyfallfilmmakerSam Mendeswas previously attached to direct this new take onPinocchio, which he signed on to after departing Disney’s live-actionJames and the Giant Peach, butMendes departedPinocchiolast November.Chris WeitzandAndrew Mianoare producing, and while Weitz (Cinderella) andPeter Hedges(About a Boy) previously penned a draft,WonderandHarry Potter and the Cursed ChildwriterJack Thorneis currently rewriting the script.
This comes on the heels of the news that King has also signed on to direct Warner Bros.’ new adaptation ofCharlie and the Chocolate Factory. TitledWilly Wonka, that movie hasMan Seeking WomancreatorSimon Richwriting the screenplay and King’sPaddingtonproducerDavid Heymanonboard to produce. But if King finalizes his deal forPinocchio, it sounds like he’ll make the Disney movie first as the Mouse House is looking to begin production this fall.
Pinocchiois one of several live-action updates in the works at Disney, which found massive success withThe Jungle BookandBeauty and the Beastrecently. The studio hasChristopher Robinhitting theaters this November, a new update of theWinnie the Poohstory, and a trio of heavy hitters on deck for release in 2019:Jon Favreau’sThe Lion King,Guy Ritchie’sAladdin, andTim Burton’sDumbo. IfPinocchioreally is going into production this fall, it seems likely Disney is eyeing a 2020 release date for this one.
So King is definitely in demand, and it’ll be interesting to see if he makesPinocchioandWilly Wonkain quick succession or if he drops one of these projects to focus on the other.
For a complete list of all the Disney live-action remakes in the works,click here.
