Guillermo del Toro is a filmmaker, author, and actor, but to Gregory Mann, he’s also a magician. Mann provides the voice of Pinocchio in del Toro’s latest film. “It was honestly such an honor to work with Guillermo,” according to the young actor. “It was like a walk in the park.”
Mann credits the director with helping whenever he struggled to deliver his lines. “Guillermo could give me the perfect techniques and he’s like a magician,” according to Mann. “He’s not just a director. He is truly magic.”
At just 10 years old at the time of recording, Mann appreciates that he provided a bigger challenge for the filmmaker than his adult castmates. “It would probably be different if I was recording today,” says Mann. “For Guillermo to be able to be so versatile, and work with so many different people… it was just so awesome to work with him.”
Voice performers frequently record without their castmates present. One technique del Toro incorporated to assist Mann was bringing guests into the booth. “I did get the honor to work with David Bradley, who plays Geppetto,” Mann explains. “I got to sit side by side with him for some of the scenes. It made it so much easier.” Finn Wolfhard, who provides the voice for Candlewick, also joined Mann for recording sessions. “To be able to sit by him and actually look at him while I’m saying it made it a lot more natural.”
You can watch the magical Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio streaming now on Netflix.
About Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Academy Award®-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love.