Guillermo Del Toro Co-Directing Pinocchio

For several years now, Guillermo Del Toro has been developing a new version of Pinocchio, and has most recently been working with The Jim Henson Company to make it a reality. However Del Toro was originally set to just produce and co-write, but now Variety reports that Guillermo will co-direct alongside Mark Gustafson for this 3D stop-motion retelling of the classic fairytale.

The Jim Henson Company is still producing this revamped adventure, which is set to begin filming next summer. The story will take place between WWI and WWII in Italy, a time when “Everyone was behaving like a puppet, except for puppets,” Guillermo del Toro has stated. Gris Grimly, artist of the book this particular version of the story is based on, and Adam Parrish King were set as the film’s original directors last year, but del Toro has stepped in to direct due to the complexity of the project.

Matthew Robbins wrote the screenplay from a story by Guillermo del Toro, which finds the puppet traveling the world, proving himself to be as indestructible as his love for his human father. The film will be shopped at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Nick Cave is serving as the musical director.