Disney has published a new teaser for its live-action Pinocchio remake, and it has some iconic images that fans may know along with some fresh twists on the narrative. On September 8th, the film will have its world debut on Disney+. In the opening voiceover of the clip, Giuseppe Battiston’s character Stromboli proclaims Pinocchio, who looks much like the animated version, to be the eighth wonder of the universe.
According to the preview, Cynthia Erivo’s Blue Fairy plays a key role in bringing Pinocchio to life, much as she did in the original film. More of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, who bears a striking resemblance to the original voice actor, Cliff Edwards, is also hinted at in the teaser. “Honest” John, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, is a dishonest anthropomorphic fox, and Gideon, a mute cat, are two more characters that many people will remember. With Key’s history in comedy, the fox’s sly, cunning demeanour may provide a welcome foil to Pinocchio’s naiveté and elicit many chuckles from the audience.
As well as familiar faces making a comeback, the teaser also offers a fresh take on the Oscar-winning classic “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Pleasure Island, which some viewers of the first film may recall as the terrifying setting where children are transformed into donkeys, is also teased in the teaser, giving viewers a taste of what they might expect from the film’s setting. It remains to be seen, though, if the remake will maintain the gloom of the original cartoon masterpiece. Pinocchio is shown clutching Gepetto’s hand in a heartwarming scene, and Gepetto tells him, “You will always be my genuine kid.”
This scene reveals the story’s emotional foundation and will likely appeal to viewers. What we see in the trailer suggests that the film does a good job of both bringing back memories of the original animated masterpiece and giving viewers something new. The live-action Pinocchio will feature several new characters, including Lorraine Bracco’s Sofia the Seagull and Kyanne Lamaya’s Fabiana and marionette puppet Jaquita Ta’Le, who will add their own unique spin to the story alongside the appearance of familiar faces that fans will recognise from the original film.
The film will contain both new and original music composed by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, as well as fresh arrangements of famous songs from the original film. In a few weeks, the picture will make its streaming service debut, allowing the classic story to be retold for a whole new audience of Disney devotees. Despite its poor reception upon release in 1940, Disney’s Pinocchio is now considered a classic thanks to the film’s groundbreaking animation and universal themes.
Peter Pan and Wendy, also premiering on Disney+, and The Little Mermaid, set to make its splash in theatres next year, are the next in line for live-action re-imaginings of iconic animated Disney flicks. On September 8, Disney+ will show Pinocchio, directed by Back to the Future’s Robert Zemeckis.