Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey confirms that Disney are looking for a new helmer to replace Paul King in the new live-action remake of Carlo Collodi's classic tale.

• Jan 17, 2019

AceShowbiz - Paul King has reportedly pulled out of directing the live-action remake of Carlo Collodi's classic tale "Pinocchio (2019)".

The filmmaker stepped in to take charge of the movie after Sam Mendes exited in November, 2017, but according to cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, he too has quit the film - for "family reasons".

Tom Hanks was in talks to portray Pinocchio's carpenter creator Geppetto in the project, but it is unclear if it is moving forward with the Oscar winner.

"I don't think it's a secret anymore, but the film has been cancelled over the holidays, over Christmas," McGarvey told Discussing Film.

"The director basically pulled out of the film for family reasons," he added. "Disney are trying to find a new director, but yeah, I read those reports that Tom Hanks and all those other people, but yeah, they're trying to get it going."

If King had moved forward with the movie, he would have directed from a script co-written by his "Paddington" screenwriter Simon Farnaby.

Meanwhile, the live-action movie is not the only "Pinocchio" project in the works - Guillermo del Toro has teamed up with Netflix bosses to make his animated feature film directing debut on a revamped version of the story about the puppet who wants to be a real boy.