Robert Downey Jr. to Star in "Pinocchio" Live-action Movie

An exclusive report reveals that Ron Howard is contracted to direct the Warner Bros. Pictures live-action movie "Pinocchio". The Academy Award winner is rumored to work with "Iron Man" actor Robert Downey Jr. to play a role in the new adaptation.

According to Tracking Board, Downey Jr. is being eyed by the director to play the role of Geppetto who made Pinocchio in the story. Initially, it was Paul Thomas Anderson who was supposed to write and direct the movie, however, Howard took over as Anderson stepped down last fall, Tracking Board reported.

Tracking Board adds that Downey Jr. has been considering the role for quite a while now but now that Howard has taken the reigns, the website predicts that it would be easier for the Downey Jr. to get the role. Previously, Downey Jr. reprised his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Avengers: Age of Ultron. He will also continue his role in the upcoming film, "Captain America: Civil War," reports Movie News Guide.

Different versions of the script based on the classic book by Carlo Collodi were submitted by different screenwriters such as Jane Goldman, Michael Mitnick, and Bryan Fuller. Currently, there is no announcement of new writer reports Tracking Board. Predictably, Howard will have an influence on who will be decided on.

Movie News Guide reported that Pinocchio has had several live-action versions over the years. The latest one was more than a decade ago. In 2002, Roberto Benigni played the role of Pinocchio while Carlo Giuffre played Geppetto.

HBO has adapted an animated series in 1997 where Will Smith voiced Pinocchio, reports Movie News Guide. The cartoon series was entitled "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child." There was also a musical adaptation in 2002 where Seth Adkins took the leading role.

Meanwhile, Howard directed the 2015 biopic "In the Heart of the Sea" which shows a different perspective of the "Moby Dick" novel by Herman Melville. Chris Hemsworth took the leading role in the film. Check out the trailer for his last film in the video below: