Tom Hanks in Talks to Play Geppetto in Pinocchio

Tom Hanks is in talks to play the role of Geppetto in Disney’s live-action Pinocchio adaptation. Variety reports that Hanks would join the film as the creator of the titular character. Paul King (Paddington) will direct the film from a script by King, Chris Weitz, and Simon Farnaby.

The film will follow the traditional tale of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet carved by an old woodworker named Geppetto and brought to life by a fairy. With the help of Jiminy Cricket, who serves as his conscience, Pinocchio embarks on a wild adventure to prove himself worthy of becoming a real boy. The character is best-known for his nose, which grows every time he tells a lie.

Production on the film kicks off in summer of 2019.