Now that Disney has settled onColin Farrellto replaceWill SmithinDumbo, the studio is setting their sights on another actor to play the primary villain. The studio has entered into negotiations withMichael Keatonto play the bad guy, joining a cast that also includesDanny De VitoandEva Green. This project will mark the first time thatMichael Keatonhas worked with directorTim Burtonsince the 1992 superhero sequelBatman Returns. Both the actor and director’s careers were launched with back-to-back hits in the late 1980s,Beetlejuicein 1988 andBatmanin 1989.
Varietyreports thatMichael Keatonwill play a circus owner who acquires a much smaller circus, owned byDanny DeVito’s character, so he can exploit the lovable elephantDumboand his mother. Earlier reports claimed that the villain’s name is Vandermere, but that hasn’t been confirmed at this time.Colin Farrellwill play a widowed father of two named Holt, who hails from Kentucky, whileEva Greenis playing a French trapeze artist named Colette, who works for Vandermere. It remains to be seen how many more major characters have yet to be cast.
We reported in January thatTom Hankswas being eyed for this villainous role, but that report also mentioned that he may be taking a role in the World War II dramaThe Grey Hound. As it turned out, the two-time Oscar winner took neither role, instead opting to joinMeryl Streepand directorSteven SpielberginThe Post, which is based on the true story of the Washington Post’s involvement in the Pentagon Papers scandal. 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.
Tim Burtonis directing from a screenplay byEhren Kruger, who most recently co-wrote Paramount’sGhost in the ShellwithJamie Moss(Street Kings) andWilliam Wheeler(Queen of Katwe). This news may be disappointing to some fans, who would prefer that bothTim BurtonandMichael Keatonreunite on their long-gestatingBeetlejuice 2sequel instead, which has been in various stages of development for several years now. This also marks the second recent turn as a villain forMichael Keaton, who will next be seen as the iconic comic book villain Vulture in Sony Pictures’Spider-Man: Homecoming, which hits theaters July 7.
Justin Springeris producing thisDumbo rebootwithEhren Kruger. Disney hasn’t confirmed when production may begin forDumbo, or when the studio may be planning to release this live-action adaptation, but this is just one of many similar live-action projects that will breathe new life into classic characters. Disney is also developing live-action remakes ofMulan,The Lion KingandThe Little Mermaid, with the studio continuing to find success in this realm with hits such asBeauty and the Beast, which has earned a whopping $396.5 million domestic and $886.4 million worldwide since hitting theaters just three weeks ago. With a star-studded cast already being assembled, it’s certainly possible thatDumbocould be Disney’s next big live-action adaptation blockbuster.
