In February 2011, we reported that Guillermo Del Toro was developing a 3D stop-motion animated adaptation of Pinocchio with author Gris Grimly and Mark Gustafson co-directing based off Grimly’s 2002 book.  Today, Variety reports that Del Toro has now stepped in to co-direct with Gustafson (there’s no mention of Grimly).  Del Toro is currently in post-production on the blockbuster monster movie Pacific Rim, which is due out July 12, 2013.  He and Gustafson (animation director for Fantastic Mr. Fox) plan to start a year-long shoot for Pinocchio in summer 2013.  Del Toro wrote the script with Grimly and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark co-writer Matthew Robbins.

Hit the jump for more.

The first image from David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis plus a first look at the puppet model for Gris Grimly’s Pinocchio has gone online.  Cosmopolis is based on the Don DeLillo novel about a newlywed billionaire (Robert Pattinson) who ends up losing his bride and his billions in a single day.  In addition to Pattinson, the film features an exciting cast including Jay Baruchel, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, Mathieu Amalric, Kevin Durand, and Sarah Gadon.  The first image from the film was snapped by Cronenberg’s daughter Caitlin, who is a talented photographer in her own right.

The Pinocchio puppet comes from Gris Grimly and Mark Gustafson’s adaptation of Grimly’s gritty but faithful graphic novel adaptation of Carlo Colodi’s famous story.  We previously reported that Guillermo del Toro will be producing with the Jim Henson Company to turn the book into a 3D stop-motion animated feature.  The production is also working from a script by composer/screenwriter Nick Cave (The Proposition).  This puppet isn’t being used in the film, but it’s a model to show potential distributors.  Hit the jump to check out both images.

Guillermo del Toro, The Jim Henson Company, and Pathe are set to produce a 3D stop-motion animated adaptation of Pinocchio.  Deadline reports that Gris Grimly and Mark Gustafson (animation director for Fantastic Mr. Fox) will direct the new version which will be “edgier” than the 1940 Disney adaptation. Grimly illustrated a 2002 book based on the character that will serve as the basis for the project.  Del Toro and collaborator Matthew Robbins (Mimic, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark) crafted the story with Robbins penning the script.

Hit the jump for more exciting details on this project, including the participation of writer/composer Nick Cave (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford).