In this futuristic retelling, Pinocchio is a robot powered by a city's electrical surge.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2004, Pinocchio 3000 reimagines Carlo Collodi’s 1883 classic as a science fantasy adventure. Instead of a wooden puppet brought to life by magic, this Pinocchio is an artificial intelligence created by an inventor, navigating the high-tech, nature-averse city of Scamboville while learning the difference between right and wrong.

Directed by Daniel Robichaud, the film was a $15 million Spanish-French-Canadian co-production that began development in 1998. The production team, consisting of 100 to 150 artists, utilized Softimage XSI to transform 2D drawings into 3D models. The final project features 115,200 frames of keyframe animation, creating a visual landscape where the protagonist must grapple with his identity as a robot in a world controlled by the ambitious Mayor Scamboli.

The narrative mirrors the original story through futuristic archetypes. Geppetto, the inventor, creates Pinocchio as his son, while Cyberina serves as the robotic fairy who promises to turn him into a real boy if he learns moral lessons. Spencer, a robotic penguin, acts as the equivalent of the Talking Cricket, and the villainous Mayor Scamboli draws inspiration from the original story's Mangiafuoco and The Coachman. The film’s conflict centers on Scamboli’s plan to replace nature with his theme park, Scamboland, where he attempts to transform children into robots.

The film explores themes of acceptance and morality, notably through Pinocchio’s desire to fit in with human children. In a climactic sequence, Pinocchio’s iconic growing nose serves a mechanical purpose: it reaches a hidden button to save the children from Scamboli’s control. After proving he has learned right from wrong, Cyberina fulfills his wish, transforming him into a real boy. The project, initially titled Pinocchio 3001, was envisioned as a potential backdoor pilot for a 26-episode television series, reflecting the expansive scope of its creators' ambitions.

Beyond the screen, the film’s production involved complex logistical planning, including a weeklong brainstorming session in Spain to finalize the script and workflow. The musical score, composed by James Gelfand, was designed to appeal to both children and adults, featuring a theme song that highlights the protagonist's internal struggle. While the film remains a unique interpretation of a literary classic, it also spawned a video game development project, further extending its futuristic take on the Pinocchio mythos.

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