Tim Burton may direct a live-action Pinocchio starring Robert Downey Jr.

When you think of Pinocchio, you obviously think of the dark, twisted, and macabre stylings of Tim Burton, yes?

Well, if you don’t, you may have to open your mind a little since according to THR, Burton is in talks to direct a live-action version of the classic Italian children’s book by Carlo Collodi. Even weirder I think, Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly very interested in taking on the role of ‘Geppetto’, the woodcarver who creates Pinocchio. Isn’t RDJ a little young for the part? This is just a hunch, but I smell a “daddy issues” re-interpretation, a la Burton’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. But hey, while we’re ignoring age, maybe they can shrink Johnny Depp down Hobbit style to play the titular wooden liar himself! (Shit… that’s actually not too far-fetched.)

Neither Burton nor Downey are locked down, though Warner Bros. is eager to get a commitment from both parties in order to fast-track the project. Meanwhiile, Burton is finishing up work on his 1960s gothic soap adaptation DARK SHADOWS while Downey can currently be seen in the sadly mediocre SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS.