Pinocchio with Tom Hanks: the characters of the Disney + film compared to the cartoon
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, “Pinocchio” is available on Disney+. The opportunity to compare the characters in real shots to their animated version.
For his reunion with Tom Hanks, director Robert Zemeckis offers a new adaptation of Pinocchio. The film is a live action remake of the 1940 cartoon along the lines of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. Therefore, the characters’ costumes and the plot remain very faithful to the original work. To compare the two versions, back to the different characters at the heart of the story.
Pinocchio
Disney/Disney+
The look of this new Pinocchio remains very faithful to the animated version of 1940. The character was entirely created using computer-generated images, but without performance capture – a technique that allows an actor to be equipped with a suit and sensors to reproduce his movements. It is the young actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth who lends his voice to the hero.
Geppetto
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With Pinocchio, Tom Hanks find Robert Zemeckis with whom he had already collaborated three times in the past. Their first meeting dates back to Forrest Gump – a role for which Tom Hanks won his second Oscar. The films Alone in the World and Le Pôle Express will follow.
Jiminy Cricket
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As with Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket’s design is very pocket-sized from the cartoon. In the original film, the hero’s companion was voiced by actor Cliff Edwards. For the 2022 version, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the character. The American star had previously worked with Robert Zemeckis for The Walk, biopic French tightrope walker Philippe Petit.
Big Rascal and Gideon
The two money-hungry and fame-hungry characters also appear in the 2022 film. The stray cat is mute, but the red fox called Big Rascal is voiced by actor Keegan-Michael Key. The latter has a special link with the Pinocchio tale. His wife’s great-uncle, teacher Angelo Patry, was the first American translator of the stories of Carlo Collodi, the creator of Pinocchio.
The blue fairy
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In Robert Zemeckis’ film, the Blue Fairy only appears for one scene. She is played by Cynthia Erivo. It is no coincidence that the actress was chosen. She is particularly known for her unique and particularly powerful voice timbre. She performs there When You Wish Upon A Star, the famous song from the original animated film – also used for the Disney logo before each feature film.
Stromboli
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The terrifying and villainous Stromboli, owner of the traveling show in which Pinocchio will venture, is embodied by the Italian actor – the only one in the cast – Giuseppe Battiston.
scoundrel
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Crapule – or Lampwick in the original version – is the little boy whom Pinocchio meets on the enchanted island. His donkey transformation scene is just as weird as in the animated version. He is played by Lewin Lloyd, a young actor who appeared in the series His Dark Materials.
The coachman
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The other protagonist of the film is none other than the coachman who transports the children. In Robert Zemeckis’ feature film, he is played by Luke Evans. The actor is used to Disney villains and live-action remakes. He was already the Gaston of The beauty and the Beast by Bill Condon released in 2017.
