The first trailer for Disney’s live-action Dumbo is here and ready to take flight! While the studio’s live-actions films haven’t always captured the magic of the animated originals, this one might be different if only because it seems completely ready to tear your heart out. Lavish circus scenes! Overcoming the odds! Michael Keaton as a P.T. Barnum/Willy Wonka hybrid that Tom Hanks was considered for when the film was still in the middle of casting!
The description reads:
“Watch the new trailer for Dumbo, and see the film when it soars to theatres March 29, 2019!
From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, Dumbo expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. A new trailer, images and poster are now available. The trailer features Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Finley Hobbins and Nico Parker.
Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.”
While the phrase “Tim Burton’s Dumbo” inspires a general 2000s to 2010s-esque fatigue, the promise of a stoic Colin Farrell having his long-frozen heart melted by a tiny, flying elephant is a premise that makes me feel very seen. Also, I wasn’t aware that DeVito and Keaton were involved (many have pointed out the Batman Returns reunion with Burton), making this way more promising than I was expecting! Dumbo is super cute, Eva Green is rocking that trapeze, and it looks like they thankfully left out the “Jim Crow” character.
Also, not to be all “in this political moment”, but Dumbo is a story about family separation and there’s no way that it’s not going to make you cry. The trailer includes a small glimpse at the scene where Dumbo’s mother’s hugs her baby through the cages with her trunk, and it’s sure to be as heartbreaking as it was during your childhood.
Are you going to check out Dumbo next spring?
(via GeekAlerts, image: screencap)
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