Tim Burton's Dumbo: new trailer, release date, plot

If there’s anything equal to the blockbuster streak the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently on, it’s the recent run of live-action adaptations of Disney’s animated classics. Whilst being slightly overshadowed by the near-unprecedented star power of the upcoming The Lion King remake, the latest iteration of Dumbo is an intriguing prospect indeed.

In an interesting matchup with one of Disney’s simpler tales, master of the macabre Tim Burton is directing, overseeing a cast including Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton and Eva Green. As with other recent Disney releases such as The Jungle Book, CGI will play just as large a role as the actors, in this case creating the remarkably convincing titular elephant himself.

Unlike the original however, all the animals will be nonspeaking, drawing focus onto the human characters. Gone is Dumbo’s mouse friend Timothy, and the chorus of singing crows – in their place are the children of Farrell’s character, who first befriend the elephant, discovering Dumbo in a mound of hay in the new trailer.

All indications thus far hint that this interpretation will play fast and loose with the original animated feature, the trailer striking a surreal mood infused with Burton’s inimitable touch of darkness.

Dumbo’s discovery of his unique flying abilities whilst performing at a struggling circus looks to be a plot point retained by the new film – the vast, sinister ‘Dreamland’ glimpsed in the trailer is a new addition, sure to be a vehicle for Burton to show off his usual knack for elaborate and unsettling spectacle.

Scheduled to be released in the UK on 29 March 2019, Dumbo is sure to be visually arresting, although whether the classic tale comes out of a Burton reimagining better or worse off remains to be seen. Watch the new trailer below.