In July of last year, we reported on yet another film that had joined Disney’s growing number of live-action adaptations based off their classic library: Dumbo.

Now, just days after we received major casting updates from their upcoming adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, we finally have news of movement on Dumbo. As it turns out, the project finally has a director; one that few may have seen coming.

Courtesy of Spinoff Online and stemming from The Wall Street Journal, Tim Burton has officially signed on to helm the live-action adaptation of the classic 1941 animated film. Burton’s involvement was confirmed by Sean Bailey, president of production at Walt Disney Pictures.

Since the project is still in an early stage of development, further details remain scarce. It is expected to be a combination of CG and live-action. Bailey also hinted that the film’s story may have a larger focus than simply being the tale of a circus elephant with large ears who can fly.

Tim Burton is currently filming an adaptation of the YA horror-fantasy novel Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, set for release on March 4, 2016.

Known widely for being a gothic visionary genius (and no stranger to animation), Tim Burton isn’t exactly a name that you would associate with Dumbo. Love it or hate it, having Tim Burton in the director’s chair for this project is definitely a sign that we’re going to get a very different interpretation of the classic film.

Also, if it isn’t obvious already, Disney appears to be betting the farm quite heavily on these films. And judging by the increasing number of them (five and counting), it’s a good guess that they won’t stop getting made anytime soon.

What do you think? Are you surprised by the news? Does it make you intrigued about the live-action Dumbo at all?

Edited by: Morgan Stradling