"Suicide Squad" actor Will Smith is in negotiations to star in Walt Disney's live-action "Dumbo" adaptation. "Alice in Wonderland" director Tim Burton is being helmed on it.
According to Variety, if the deal closes, Smith would play as the father of the children who develop a friendship with the lovable elephant after seeing him at the circus in "Dumbo." "The Da Vinci Code" actor Tom Hanks has been also offered a role as the villain.
"Dumbo" is based on Disney's classic animated 1941 movie of the same name and will be a mix of live action and animation. It is about a baby circus elephant that is made fun of for his large ears, got separated from his mother, and is working to achieve his full potential with the help of a mouse, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
However, other plot details for "Dumbo" adaptation are still kept under wraps. "Transformers" writer Ehren Kruger will be penning the script. He is also producing alongside "TRON: Legacy" producer Justin Springer.
If Smith will take the role in "Dumbo" adaptation, it will have a significant effect on the future of the upcoming "Bad Boys" sequel "Bad Boys for Life" because both films will shoot at the same time. It might be that the start date for the sequel would be pushed back or it could be shelved entirely if he would lean toward the deal for the live-action adaptation.
The Walt Disney studio's emphasis on live-action movies comes after the strong success of 2014 adventure family film "Maleficent" and 2015 family fantasy "Cinderella." Bill Condon's musical fantasy "Beauty and the Beast" is already one of the most anticipated movies of the year with 91.8 million views for its first teaser trailer in the first 24 hours in May 2016.
Smith just wrapped production on the Netflix crime fantasy "Bright" alongside "Exodus: Gods and Kings" actor Joel Edgerton. He was recently seen in David Frankel's romance drama "Collateral Beauty" and David Ayer's adventure fantasy "Suicide Squad." The actor is represented by CAA and Overbrook Entertainment.
No production details are unveiled yet for "Dumbo."
Watch the video about Will Smith in talks for the Tim Burton movie "Dumbo":