Pinocchio (2022 live-action film) 2022

Movie · 105 min · English · September 8, 2022

Children's adventure Children's fantasy Musical fantasy

Directed by Robert ZemeckisWritten by Robert Zemeckis, Chris Weitz

Starring Tom Hanks, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, Lorraine Bracco

A 2022 American musical fantasy film, Pinocchio is a live-action version of Walt Disney's 1940 animated adaptation, which draws from the 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film was written by Zemeckis and Chris Weitz. Starring Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, Giuseppe Battiston, and Luke Evans, with voice work provided by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Lorraine Bracco.

This reimagined version centers on a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, who gains life through the intervention of a blue fairy following his creation by an elderly Italian craftsman called Geppetto. As Pinocchio seeks to become human, he is guided by Jiminy Cricket, who serves as his moral compass. Along the way, he meets various untrustworthy figures in pursuit of his goal.

Work on the live-action project began in 1985 when Jim Henson and Steve Barron were approached; however, Disney initially rejected it. The film was officially announced in April 2015, with Peter Hedges initially hired to write the script before being replaced by Weitz in May 2017. Sam Mendes and Paul King were considered for directing, but Zemeckis was confirmed as director in January 2020. Early talks about Hanks playing Geppetto began by November 2018, though he declined after Paul King’s departure. He later returned in August 2020. The main cast was revealed in January and March 2021. Principal photography commenced in March 2021 and wrapped up the following month. Alan Silvestri, who has worked on all of Zemeckis's films, composed the soundtrack and also collaborated with Glen Ballard to create new songs. The production was handled by Walt Disney Pictures, Depth of Field, and ImageMovers.

Released on September 8, 2022 by Disney+ as part of Disney+ Day, the film received mostly negative reviews from critics. It was nominated for six Golden Raspberry Awards, winning Worst Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.