Last week it was revealed that Tim Burton would direct Disney’s remake of their classic DUMBO. Based on a script being drafted by Ehren Kruger, DUMBO would tell the story of the elephant with the over-sized ears who learns to fly. The movie remains one of the more traumatic films in the childhoods of many thanks to the mad elephant scenes and the torture at the hands of the circus handlers. Now it looks like some are hoping the new film can change these moments for a new generation.
PETA has issued a letter to Tim Burton with a request for a different ending to the new film from the original animated classic.
We’re hopeful that in your adaptation of Dumbo, the young elephant and his mother can have a truly happy ending by living out their lives at a sanctuary instead of continuing to be imprisoned and abused in the entertainment industry. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
With the recent news that Ringling Bros. would no longer feature elephants in their circus shows (due to restrictions from the venues they visit rather than humanitarian reasons), this does not come as a surprise. PETA has often been the first to warn filmmakers against the mistreatment of animals in film productions, occasionally to a fault, but I have no problem with this. Granted, I never once thought the original movie glorified or supported the mistreatment of elephants by circuses, I can see the point. I would probably be more in favor if someone wrote a letter ensuring that Ehren Kruger keeps the racist crows out of the new movie.
DUMBO has no production or release date, but I would expect to see it in 2018.
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