Deadline is reporting that Suicide Squad and Collateral Beauty star Will Smith is eyeing a key role in Tim Burton’s live-action Dumbo movie.
Although it’s still early, early days, the Mouse House is reportedly eager to fast-track this one as it continues about its grand master plan to overhaul existing fairytales into live-action tentpoles. No word on who Smith could potentially play in Burton’s feature film, but an actor of his caliber – one that simply oozes charisma in practically every role – would certainly be a major coup for the embryonic Dumbo.
The biggest challenge currently facing both parties is Will Smith’s stacked schedule. One glance at the actor’s upcoming slate will reveal roles in David Ayer’s Bright and the long-awaited action threequel Bad Boys for Life, and that’s before you factor in Bad Boys 4 and Smith’s willingness to re-team with Margot Robbie for Gotham City Sirens.
Assuming the pieces do fall into place, though, Will Smith may well follow in the footsteps of other A-list actors – namely Angelina Jolie, Emma Stone, Johnny Depp and Emma Watson – who have landed roles in Disney’s catalog of live-action reboots. Dwayne Johnson is another big name to get involved, who will soon be seen headlining the Jungle Cruise movie for the House of Mouse.
Circling back to Dumbo, other than Tim Burton, the only other confirmed member of the creative team is screenwriter Ehren Kruger, who will handle scripting duties for Disney. A new version of the titular, wonderfully clumsy elephant is officially in the works, but first up is the studio’s Beauty and the Beast, which is set to grace theaters on March 17.