Everyone’s favorite puppet,Pinocchio, is getting yet another horror movie treatment, this time by way ofPinocchio: Carved from Darkness, which is launching at the Cannes Film Market this week. The character of Pinocchio was first created by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1881 when ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ began as a serialized work of fiction in the magazine ‘Giornale per i bambini.’ The stories were later collected into one novel, which was published in 1883, andthe character was made famous by Disney in 1940whenthey released their animated classic,Pinocchio.
As perVariety,Pinocchio: Carved from Darknesswill be directed by Joona Tena (Superfurball), and produced by Oceana Studios, the same company behind the likes ofTerrifier 2,Monstrous, andLamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend. The premise will see the beloved puppet carved from a block of cursed wood,turning him into a vengeful killer. Check out the full synopsis below.
“This dark turn on Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 tale sees woodcarver Geppetto carve a puppet resembling his recently deceased sonfrom a of block of wood discarded at a crime scene and cursed by Agatha, the priestess of a dark cult. As Pinocchio turns into a vengeful killer, a teen named Charlie and his mother Nancy arrive in the town looking for a fresh start. Meanwhile, a detective named Georgina starts investigating Agatha’s crimes. The characters intertwine with some tragic consequences.”
Pinocchio: Carved from Darknesshas some fairly big names attached thus far, with Peter Stormare (Constantine,John Wick: Chapter 2) on board as Geppetto, Vicki Berlin (Triangle of Sadness) tapped to play the semi-alcoholic mother of Charlie, Nancy, as well as Daniel Nuta (Watcher) who will portray Ronnie,a local gangsterwho gets mixed up with Charlie’s circle of high school friends.Filming is expected to get underway in early 2025, with the movie aiming for a summer release.
Pinocchio: Carved from Darkness Will Combine Live Action with CGI
This isn’t the first time Pinocchio is being turned into a horror movie, as earlier this year we got our first look atPinocchio: Unstrung, which comes from the same team behindWinnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. Pooh will also square off against Mickey Mouse in the upcoming slasher film,Mickey vs. Winniefrom director Glenn Douglas Packard, and if that wasn’t enough,Ghostbustersmainstay Ernie Hudson will star inOswald Down the Rabbit Hole, which is a horror retelling featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
WithPinocchio: Carved from Darkness, Danny Sawaf, the CEO of Oceana Studios, says that this new film will be “surreal,” andcombine elements of live action and CGI. He promises that audiences are going to be “riveted” by the experience.
“We’re thrilled to tell a story that has entertained people around the world for well over a century. Ours is set in a modern world while subverting the audiences expectations given the character has personified good since its inception.The combination of CG and live action will be surrealand audiences are going to be riveted.”
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As for director Joona Tena, he says that his horror film will be one “with poignancy and empathy.” He calls it a “gripping, cinematic journey.” Check out his comments below.
“We’re using the premise of the classic tale to make a dark modern horror film, but one with poignancy and empathy as our Pinocchio is carved from evil but nurtured with affection.It will be a gripping cinematic journey through fearwhile dealing with themes of bereavement and broken family ties.”
WhetherPinocchio: Carved from Darknesswill find success in the wake of a plethora of public domain characters getting turned into horror movies remains to be seen, but with Oceana’s track record there’s a better than even chance it will at least have the opportunity to find an audience.
