Tim Burton will direct a remake of 'Dumbo'.

The 56-year-old filmmaker will work on the live-action version of the 1941 animated classic following Disney executives' search for an A-list director to helm the project, president of production Sean Bailey confirmed to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

The original movie told the tale of a baby circus elephant, ridiculed for his unusually large ears, but helped to unlock his full potential with the help of a mouse who became his mentor.

The updated version of the film has been scripted by Ehren Kruger - who has written the last three 'Transformers' movies - who will produce the project along with Justin Springer, who was involved with 2013's 'Oblivion' and 2010's 'Tron: Legacy'.

Tim previously directed the company's reimagination of 'Alice in Wonderland' which swiftly became one of Disney's most successful live-action movies, grossing more than $1 billion on its release in 2010.

And thanks to the success of the hit movie - which starred Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Mia Wasikowska - Disney is redeveloping several other classic films, including 'Cinderella' which hits screens this month, as well as 'Beauty and the Beast' featuring Emma Watson, and 'The Jungle Book'.