Disney’s live-action ‘Christopher Robin’ film getting rewrite

Disney is making big bucks with its live-action renditions of its animated franchises, so it only makes sense that something as beloved as “Winnie the Pooh” would eventually get tapped for a similar makeover.

The “Winnie the Pooh” film is called “Christopher Robin,” and revolves around the boy who befriends the honey-guzzling teddy bear, Pooh Bear.

Unlike Disney’s other live-action remakes, however, the movie will stray a little farther from the source material, reimagining Christopher Robin as an adult who works a little too hard and does not spend enough quality time with the family. Of course, everything changes when he visits the Hundred Acre Wood, where old friends await.

Hired to rewrite the script is Tom McCarthy, who directed and co-wrote “Spotlight,” which won Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 2015 Academy Awards. McCarthy’s script will replace the one previously penned by Alex Ross Perry, the indie filmmaker whose credits include the critically acclaimed “The Color Wheel” (2011).  Perry was recruited in November to work on the screenplay’s first draft.

In the director’s chair is Marc Forster, who was behind 2004’s “Finding Neverland.”

Author A.A. Milne created the character Christopher Robin for his 1926 book “Winnie the Pooh.” The character returns in 1928’s “The House at Pooh Corner.” Christopher Robin was named after Milne’s son, and Winnie the Pooh after his son’s stuffed toy.

Disney has had the rights to all materials related to “Winnie the Pooh” since 1961. Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and a vast array of characters have all appeared in various Disney productions, such as “Piglet’s Big Movie,” “The Tigger Movie,” and “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie.” They were even incorporated into the Square Enix game “Kingdom Hearts II.” — BM, GMA News