Disney has confirmed that Alice in Wonderland helmsman Tim Burton will direct a live action remake of Dumbo - the classic 1941 animation about a baby elephant who can fly. Burton - whose last movie for Disney took $1 billion - will direct from a screenplay from Transformers: Dark of the Moon's Ehren Kruger.

Tim BurtonTim Burton will helm a live-action remake of Dumbo for Disney

Kruger's script is believed to add a unique family story that parallels Dumbo's journey and will extend the original narrative. 

The film was just 60 minutes long and told the story of a young circus elephant named Jumbo Jr who is bullied for having large ears, earning him the titular nickname - until he learns to fly. The movie won the Oscar for best scoring of a musical picture and was nominated for best original song for Baby Mine. 

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Still, Dumbo has been criticised in modern times for its use of racial stereotypes, particularly with its depiction of a gang of jive-talking crows.

Burton is known for his gothic spin on movies and won acclaim for his recent animation ParaNorman. Disney has enjoyed box office success with a string of reboots and spin-offs including Oz the Great and Powerful and Maleficent. Next up for the studio is Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella which has already gained strong reviews ahead of its release on March 27.

The studio also has a live action take on The Jungle Book planned, as well as 2017's Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson and Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens.

Before Dumbo, Burton will helm Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Beetlejuice 2. 

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