Will Smith Circling Disney’s Live-Movie Adaptation For ‘Dumbo’

Will Smith remains one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, even though he has not had the best of luck in selecting movies lately.

Critics slammed his latest film “Collateral Beauty,” while not everybody loved seeing him as Deadshot in “Suicide Squad.” “After Earth,” the 2013 film which he starred in together with his son Jaden Smith, also got negative reviews.

But this time around, Disney is hoping to rescue Smith from his string of flops, according to Deadline. They are reportedly circling him to join their live-movie adaptation of the 1941 animated film “Dumbo,” which will be directed by Tim Burton.

The studio is reportedly aggressive in starting production with a script by Ehren Kruger. However, some conflict might ensue since Smith is hoping to start working with Sony Pictures on “Bad Boys For Life,” which will have him team up with Martin Lawrence again. Joe Carnahan will be directing.

Should Smith accept the role, he will be playing the role of the father of the children who form a special bond with Dumbo after seeing him at the circus. Variety even added that Tom Hanks has been offered the role of the film’s villain, but he might choose to decline it and opt to star instead in the World War II drama “The Grey Hound.”

Disney has been quite successful in its live movie adaptations. They started with “Maleficent,” which starred Angelina Jolie and turned the villainess into a well-loved protagonist. They followed it with “Cinderella” starring Lily James and Richard Madden. This year, “Beauty and the Beast” starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens will be released.

Following “Dumbo,” Disney might undertake remakes of “Mulan,” “Peter Pan,” “Aladdin,” and “The Little Mermaid,” the Daily Mail reported.

The release date for “Dumbo” is yet to be announced.