Well, it seems like we’re getting our first look at what Guillermo del Toro‘s Pinocchio is going to look like on Netflix. From the looks of these new images, we’re definitely getting a darker version of the story than before. Although to be fair, the Disney version was still pretty dark, but that’s another story entirely.

Pinocchio: The Dark and Creepy Version

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" first look image 3, showing Pinocchio booping Geppetto in the snoot.
With just hints of whimsical humor to lighten the mood, apparently.

Netflix just released a series of first look images for Guillermo del Toro‘s Pinocchio via Vanity Fair. These first look images show a darker and more disturbing version of the classic Pinocchio story than we’re used to. To be fair though, this is Guillermo del Toro we’re talking about. This is the guy who’s responsible for such weird and dark delights as Pan’s Labyrinth, The Strain, and The Shape of Water. This is pretty much par for the course from him.

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" first look image 8, showing Pinocchio looking up hopefully at Geppetto in a dark forest.
No, Pinocchio. I don’t think this is going to be a light-hearted story. No matter how hopeful you look.

The first look images even gives us a look at the plot for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. To start us off, this version of the story apparently takes place in WWII Italy, under the reign of Mussolini’s fascists. You can tell by their red armbands and black outfits.

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" first look image 4, showing Geppetto speaking to a fascist podesta.
Not to mention his cool but evil mustache.

Even the overall message of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is going to differ from the canon version of the story. Apparently, Guillermo del Toro really didn’t like how the original story was all about blind obedience to one’s parents. He thought it set a bad example to kids, and rendered them exactly as puppet-like as Pinocchio looks. That’s why he’s changing up the plot for this Netflix version, and it’ll be interesting to see how this new version of the story will be like once we actually get to see it.

“Many times the fable has seemed, to me, in favor of obedience and domestication of the soul. Blind obedience is not a virtue. The virtue Pinocchio has is to disobey. At a time when everybody else behaves as a puppet—he doesn’t. Those are the interesting things, for me. I don’t want to retell the same story. I want to tell it my way and in the way I understand the world.”

Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: More Details

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" first look image 2, showing Sebastian J. Cricket on his merry way from the grave of Geppetto's lost son.
In case you were wondering: this is del Toro’s version of Jiminy Cricket. Sorry, Sebastian J. Cricket.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is an upcoming stop-motion animated musical fantasy (of all genres) film by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. The film itself (as was the Disney version) is based on the original 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. The film will star Gregory Mann as the titular Pinocchio, the legendary Ewan McGregor as Sebastian J. Cricket, and David Bradley as Master Geppetto, among others.

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" first look image 7, showing Pinocchio walking into a creepy open set of doors into the light.
Pinocchio, I don’t know about you, but walking through creepy doors into the light doesn’t sound like a good idea.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will premiere sometime in December 2022. You can watch it only on Netflix at that time.

Source: Vanity Fair