Collider was able to reveal a project Guillermo del Toro has been developing over the past six years: ‘Zanbato.’ This is a film he will (eventually) write and direct for Paramount and JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot.
On Twitter, del Toro was able to clarify some details about the project:
This has been in developmwnt for the last 6 years or so! Thanks to JJ maximum security system, it had not leaked. We are still developing steadily. Stay tuned here for news on which project SHOOTS next. Pinocchio btw is already in active prepro in Portland, OR https://t.co/Pd6wLXL5Wv
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) March 1, 2019
So, all we know is that ‘Zanbato’ centers around a young girl (between age 10-15) with lethal fighting skills. It was initially said that she was a ninja.
But, del Toro took to Twitter again to debunk that, while also stating that there will be ninjas in the film nonetheless:
BTW- NOT a Ninja project.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) March 1, 2019
But… there are Ninjas in it 🤐
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) March 1, 2019
Also, in this Twitter thread, del Toro said his ‘Pinocchio’ film is already in pre-production in Portland, Oregon. At the moment, that is the film he is making next, while ‘Zanbato’ isn’t the current focus. Will it get made after? We’ll just have to wait and see!
Meanwhile, ‘Pinocchio’ will be del Toro’s feature film directing debut in animation. The film is a stop-motion musical version of the classic children’s tale about a puppet who wants to be a real live boy. The setting is Italy during the 1930s, when fascism was on the rise. Additionally, del Toro serves as producer and co-writer, with Patrick McHale (‘Over the Garden Wall’). It will release on Netflix in 2021.
The most recent film from del Toro is ‘The Shape of Water,’ which won Best Picture, Directing, Score, and Production Design at the Academy Awards. As for film producing, up next is Lionsgate’s ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,’ and Fox Searchlight’s ‘Antlers.’ The former will be releasing August 9, while the other has yet to receive a date. And for television producing, there’s the upcoming Amazon series ‘Carnival Row,’ starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne.