Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. recently revealed that he would like to get Ben Stiller to direct his Pinocchio film project. The two worked together on Tropic Thunder, and Stiller recently directed The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, which looks great. Tim Burton was attached to direct the movie at one point but ended up dropping out.
It's now being reported that Stiller is actually in talks to direct the movie. Nothing is set in stone yet, but they are already looking for writers to develop a script. Downey Jr. and his wife Susan are producing the film under their Team Downey banner. The actor would also star in the film as Geppetto, and the studio likes the new direction they are taking the story.
The story originated in Italian author Carlo Collodi's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. The first half was originally a serial between 1881 and 1883, and then later completed as a book for children in February 1883. The story has been adapted several times for film over the years, but Disney's 1940 insanely creepy animated film is definitely the best known version. This new version will be live-action and will follow Geppetto as he embarks on a quest to reunite with his missing marionette.
Even though he's helmed quite a few films, Stiller isn't widely known for his directing work. This could be a good project to help people consider him as a director/actor... and not the other way around.