Netflix to Produce Guillermo Del Toro's Stop-Motion 'Pinnochio' Film

Guillermo Del Toro continues his collaboration with streaming service Netflix. Following his horror anthology 10 After Midnight, Netflix will host the renowned creative’s passion project: a stop-motion Pinnochio movie.

Set in the unstable political climate of 1930’s Italy, Del Toro is aiming to make a film that’s much darker than the Disney classic. The clash of kid-friendly fairy tales and gritty realism is an approach that the director has long wanted to probe. “No single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio,” said Del Toro. “I’ve wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember. … I am grateful that the talented team at Netflix is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to introduce audiences everywhere to my version of this strange puppet-turned-real-boy.”

Production is scheduled to begin this year in partnership with The Jim Henson Company and ShadowMachine — the latter known for BoJack Horseman and Robot Chicken — with no release date likely to be announced any time soon.

In less optimistic news, Netflix has pulled the plug on Marvel’s Luke Cage.