Warning: Spoilers for Guillermo del Toro’s PinocchioGuillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio has finally arrived on Netflix after a long wait and fervent discussion over how it would differ from the classic Disney film. The stop-motion animation is more directly adapted from Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel than previous iterations, and acclaimed filmmaker del Toro takes the opportunity to infuse the wooden puppet's tale with a darker tone amidst the Fascist politics of Italy in the early 20th century. His screenplay, co-written by Patrick McHale and derived from a screen story co-written by Matthew Robbins, also weaves important messages about death as part of the cycle of life.
Directed by del Toro and Mark Gustafson, Pinocchio introduces audiences to a lonely drunk named Geppetto (David Bradley), who has been grieving his son Carlo's death in World War I. Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor) narrates the story as a whimsical wood sprite grants the wooden toy Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) life so that he may keep Geppetto company. Pinocchio soon learns that life brings death, but until he is a "real" boy like Carlo, he will keep coming back. Throughout his many "lives," Pinocchio meets characters like Count Volpe who are selfish and use others for their own means. He also meets those like Candlewick (Finn Wolfhard), who grows to be brave and selfless as they stand for what's right.
Screen Rant spoke to Mann and Wolfhard about what made del Toro and Gustafson such excellent collaborators, how they got into character in the booth, and the nuanced way Pinocchio explores Geppetto's role as a father.
Gregory Mann & Finn Wolfhard on Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Screen Rant: You are living my dream life. What is it like to get to work with Guillermo del Toro?
Gregory Mann: Guillermo is as nice a person as he is an incredible director and, as you can see from what he's made, he's so incredible in the final production of a movie. But then actually being in a booth with him and [having] him give you directions is the [craziest] thing. Just to be in a Guillermo del Toro movie and to get to know him is just incredible. It's so amazing.
Finn, what is it like actually being in the booth? How do you find your character, especially, who has such an emotional story?
Finn Wolfhard: I had such a good time doing this movie, especially because I actually got to work in a booth with Gregory for one of the scenes. That just helps so much, because you get to bounce off someone.Usually, when it comes to voice acting, I get really frustrated because it's a very hard thing to do. Some people are just so good at it, [but] I've always been very in my head because I feel like I work best when I'm around or bouncing off other people or whatever. When it's just you in the booth, you're kind of like, "Oh, God..." But Mark and Guillermo are so good at relaxing me. Yeah, they're great.
Gregory, your Pinocchio's relationship with Geppetto is a lot more complicated than one might expect. Can you talk about exploring that father-son dynamic?
Gregory Mann: From the start, when Pinocchio was first given life, he doesn't understand at all. He only finds out about Carlo maybe a day after, or maybe the night he's made. But all he wants is to be Geppetto's son, because what happened is that Carlos' soul had been taken and given to Pinocchio. He thinks that Geppetto knows, but he doesn't.Geppetto is still grieving, and that's when [Pinocchio[ gets quite upset because Geppetto calls him a burden. But in the end, Geppetto actually comes to a realization that you shouldn't make someone change to love you. Because if someone says they love you, but they're trying to make you change, then they don't love you.
Is there another fairytale that you would each like to do a Guillermo del Toro version of?
Finn Wolfhard: There hasn't been a Goldilocks one, has there?Gregory Mann: Jack and the Beanstalk would be cool. You could implement some Guillermo del Toro [style] with the monsters that are living in the clouds. You can make that really, really creepy. That would actually be quite cool.Finn Wolfhard: Yeah, with puppets and stuff.
About Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love.
Check out our other interviews for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio here:
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is now available to stream on Netflix.