Disney's Live-Action Pinocchio Movie Reportedly Loses Director, Status In Question

Disney's new live-action Pinocchio movie has suffered what sounds like a major setback. Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey said in a new interview that director Paul King (Paddington 1 and 2), pulled out of the project over the holidays for family reasons.

McGarvey told Discussing Film that King personally chose him to be the cinematographer for the Pinocchio movie, so now that he's out, it means McGarvey is as well. He initially said the Pinocchio movie "has been canceled," but he went on to say that Disney is looking for a new director, and then production may start again. Or it might not, McGarvey said.

"I don't think it's a secret anymore, but the film has been canceled. Over the holidays, over Christmas, the director pulled out of the film for family reasons," he explained. "Disney are trying to find a new director. They're trying to get it going but I'm unlikely to be involved now because Paul King, who directed Paddington 1 and 2, wanted me to be his [director of photography] on the film.

"Who knows, the director they eventually bring on, it will probably be delayed by some time now; it probably won't shoot until July or August, if it does at all."

When Disney finds a new director, this person will likely choose their own director of photography, and from the way McGarvey was speaking, it sounds like it wouldn't be him.

McGarvey earned two Best Cinematography Oscar nominations, for the movies Atonement and Anna Karenina, both of which were directed by Joe Wright.

King is not the first director to drop out of Pinocchio, as Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro was originally eyed to direct. He's not doing the Disney movie, but he is set to write and direct an animated musical adaptation of Pinocchio for Netflix. Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) was also attached to direct the new Pinocchio before dropping out.

Tom Hanks is reportedly being considered to play Pinocchio's father, Geppetto, in the new film, though whether or not the recent director change affects this remains to be seen.

While the new Pinocchio might not be happening soon, Disney has a few live-action remakes coming up in 2019 including The Lion King and Aladdin.