In an age where the only animated movies being made are all CGI, Disney seems determined to make all of their classics into live action blockbusters with big names. And so far it’s worked out pretty well, even smashingly so in the case of CINDERELLA and BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Tim Burton previously helmed the live action update of ALICE IN WONDERLAND for the Mouse House, which was a huge success and even spawned a sequel. Now he’s helping deliver DUMBO into the live action realm, and it’s also filled with Burton alumni like Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Eva Green, plus Colin Farrell, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins and Alan Arkin. While the 1941 animated classic may feel pretty dated by today’s standards, there are still scenes in there that get to me emotionally, and resonate with me on a personal level. I hope Burton can capture that feel and magic in his version, especially since I was not a fan of his ALICE IN WONDERLAND adaptation. I’m also a little concerned as the screenplay is by Ehren Krueger, who penned the last three TRANSFORMERS movies, and the live action GHOST IN THE SHELL (which bombed). The newest UK trailer below gives me even more hope than before, as it looks ridiculously sweet and wonderful, so we’ll see what the end result delivers next March. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.