Adapted from their classic 1941 animated film, the new incarnation features a hybrid of live-action and CGI. And they have updated the story to put more of the focus on the humans surrounding the beloved flying elephant.
Disney describes the new story thus:
“Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.
Tim Burton directs the live-action film. For many, it is a happy reunion between the director and star Michael Keaton, who reinvigorated the superhero movie with "Batman" in 1989, and the sequel in 1992. Burton made his mark on Hollywood with whimsically odd films. From "Edward Scissorhands" to "Beetlejuice" to "Big Fish," he is known for wildly original and sometimes bizarre aesthetics. He earned Oscar nominations for two stop-motion animated films, "Corpse Bride" and "Frankenweenie."
Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay. It is interesting that his filmography led him to this project. His work includes "Arlington Road," "Scream 3," and three "Transformers" films. He also adapted last year's "The Ghost in the Shell."
The original "Dumbo" earned two Academy Award nominations in 1941. The animated feature category didn't exist in those days, but it won the prize for Original Score, and also earned a nomination for the original song, "Baby Mine." You can hear the song in the trailer below.
Disney will release "Dumbo" on March 29, 2019.
https://youtu.be/-QPdRfqTnt4
