Yesterday, we reported thatWill Smithis being eyed for the lead role in Disney’s live-actionDumboadaptation, whichTim Burtonis set to direct. It seems that is not the only role the studio is trying to cast, with a new report revealingTom Hankshas been offered the villain character, although it is not immediately clear if he will take the part. The report claims that he may also take a role in the World War II dramaThe Grey Hound, but it doesn’t seem that the actor has made up his mind quite yet.
Varietyreports thatWill Smithwill play the father of the children who become friends with the elephant after seeing him at the circus. This report also reveals that, ifWill Smithdoes take this project, it will likely have a “significant impact” on his long-awaited Sony Pictures sequelBad Boys For Life. The site’s sources claim that bothDumboandBad Boys For Lifeare shooting at the same time, and ifWill Smithchooses this project, it will likely push back the start forBad Boys For Life, or it could be “shelved indefinitely.“Bad Boys For Lifewas given a July 24, 2025 release date last year.
The originalDumbomovie centered on a baby elephant born with oversized ears and a supreme lack of confidence. He teams up with Timothy the Mouse to achieve his full potential and overcome all of the obstacles in front of him. DirectorTim Burton’s new adaptation will be a mixture of CGI animation and live action. No details have been given yet about how this story may be different from the original 1941 animated classic, but there is one organization who made a suggestion to Disney last year.
Last March,Lisa Langefrom the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), drafted an open letter toTim Burton, asking that in his new movie,Dumboand his mother are set free from the circus, and allowed to live out their lives in an animal sanctuary, instead of, “continuing to be imprisoned and abused in the entertainment industry.” This letter was drafted shortly after Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced they will retire the elephants used in its shows.
Tim Burtonis directing thisDumboadaptation from a screenplay byEhren Kruger, who is best known for writing the first fourTransformersmovies, along with the horror classicThe Ring.Justin Springer(Tron: Legacy,Oblivion) is producing alongsideTim Burton.Tom Hanksis coming off a three-movie year in 2016, having starred inA Hologram For the King, the critically-acclaimedSullyand the newRobert LangdonadventureInferno. This year, he’ll star inThe CirclealongsideEmma WatsonandJohn Boyega, and he also producesFelt, a biopic on FBI agentMark Felt, who was revealed to be “Deep Throat,” the source who helped blow the lid off the Watergate scandal. He will also return to voice Woody inToy Story 4, which has been set for release on June 18, 2025.
