.jpeg)
Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro said he's always wanted to make the movie Pinocchio because he "very strongly" emphasises with the character.
The adventure of a wooden kid who is magically brought to life by a puppet-wish maker is followed in his stop-motion musical animation, which is based on Carlo Collodi's story.
Newcomer Gregory Mann plays the title character in the movie, which is set amid the rise of fascism in Mussolini's Italy, and Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor as Sebastian J Cricket.
Along with Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett, it also stars Christoph Waltz, the antagonist from James Bond, and David Bradley, who played Harry Potter.
Del Toro told the PA news agency upon his arrival at the film's world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival: "I relate very strongly with two figures in literature: the creature of Frankenstein and Pinocchio.
"Ever since I was a child, I've wanted to do it, and I've had this particular incarnation for approximately 15 years.
"I wrote it for Tilda (Swinton), I wrote it for David Bradley, etc., and occasionally life has been kind enough to grant me the opportunity to work with people like Cate, get to know people like Christoph, and find someone like Gregory, who played Pinocchio. More chances occurred there.
"I believe the concept is that Pinocchio is one of 10 or 12 literary characters who can be modified depending on who tells the story and what is related to the story," he said.
It is highly malleable because you can set it in space, the future, and use it as a metaphor for politics or family.
It's his first feature film since 2017's The Shape Of Water, which won four Academy Awards, including best director and best picture. The project is del Toro's first animated feature film under his direction.
The movie also stars Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, and John Turturro.
Waltz, who voices Count Volpe in the upcoming animated film, told PA, "Guillermo has got an angle, he's got a very unique angle, and I like him as a person. So why not play together?
"You always have limitations; whether you're working in a large film studio or a sound studio, there will always be things that will trip you up.
We are on the same page, and I believe I know what he wants, so I can assist, and that makes me happy.
.jpeg)
Pinocchio On December 9, the movie will be made available on Netflix.
Press Association, Sources
.jpeg)
