Burton Leaves Robert Downey Jr. "Pinocchio" Project

According to Deadline, Tim Burton is no longer attached to direct a live-action adaptation of Pinocchio starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Geppetto. This is likely because Burton's next directorial project will be Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.

Downey has said that he might be interested in having Ben Stiller direct the film. Dan Jinks is still attached to produce, and Jane Goldman has written the most recent draft of the script.

Goldman in Talks to Pen Burton's "Pinocchio"

Screenwriter Jane Goldman (Stardust, Kick-Ass, The Woman in Black) is currently in negotiations to write the script for a new version of Pinocchio, based on the original Carlo Collodi story, says The Hollywood Reporter. Tim Burton is currently attached to direct the Warner Bros. film. Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) wrote the initial draft.

Warner Bros. is also planning on having Robert Downey, Jr. play the role of Geppetto, the toy maker who creates Pinocchio. In this version, Geppetto embarks on a quest to reunite with his marionette. Dan Jinks is supposed to produce the film (who also worked with Burton as a producer on Big Fish).

Burton on "Big Eyes," "Pinocchio," "Beetlejuice" Sequel

Shock Till You Drop recently spoke with Tim Burton. The ever-busy filmmaker was asked about three projects that are either in development or pre-production. Nothing particularly groundbreaking was learned, but it does show that these projects are on Burton's radar:

On the possible Beetlejuice sequel: “Seth [Grahame-Smith] is writing something. I just told him because I liked the character, I just thought I’d have a better response if he has ideas about it to just let him [work on it]." He continued: "I don’t know if I’d ever know a good script if it bit me in the face, but I know what I like."

On an adaptation of Pinocchio that Burton is attached to direct at Warner Bros., from a script by Bryan Fuller, and which might have Robert Downey, Jr. in the lead: "I’m very busy aren’t I? It’s kind of embarrassing. I’ve got three movies [coming out this year]. I’m sick of me already. So, we’ll let these come out, then I’ll go away and you guys can deal with other people."

On Big Eyes, a biographical film about artists Margaret and Walter Keane starring Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds that Burton is producing, and is currently in pre-production: "Oh, I don’t know. There are a lot of projects in the works, but as you can see when something is 10 years in the making, you’re never quite sure when it’s happening."

Burton, Warner Bros. Interested in "Pinocchio" with Robert Downey Jr.?

The Hollywood Reporter states that Warner Bros. and Tim Burton are interested in making a live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, starring Robert Downey Jr. Robert Downey Jr. would play Geppetto, the wood-carver who creates the marionette boy.

Bryan Fuller (creator of TV's Pushing Daisies) has written a treatment for the project, and Dan Jinks (American Beauty, Big Fish) is attached to produce.

However, neither Burton nor Downey Jr. have made deals with Warner Bros. yet, and both men have very busy schedules. Additionally, several other adaptations of Pinocchio are in development from other studios, making stiff competition for Warner Bros.' plans.