Tim Burton is going to make cinemagoers believe elephants can fly in Disney’s live-action remake of Dumbo.

The filmmaker behind cinematic hits such as Alice In Wonderland, Edward Scissorhands and Big Eyes has signed on to direct the new take of the 1941 animated movie.

Tim Burton
Tim Burton (Evan Agostini/Invision)

The news was revealed by Walt Disney Pictures president of production Sean Bailey, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Dumbo, which is still in development and doesn’t have a release date, is expected to combine computer-generated effects with live actors.

Bailey also hinted that the story could expand beyond the circus elephant who learns to fly, saying: “It’s a big world.”

Dumbo and his best friend, a mouse
Dumbo (Disney)

Dumbo joins the list of Disney animations getting the live-action treatment, which also includes Cinderella, Maleficent (a spin on Sleeping Beauty), and Alice In Wonderland.

The Jungle Book, featuring the voices of Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba and Sir Ben Kingsley, and Beauty And The Beast – starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens – are also being remade.