Pinocchio 2022 will be released on Disney Plus on September 8. It is a live-action adaptation of Pinocchio 1940. The 2022 film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, will cast Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans among others. The story will be based on the book The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. 

The Coachman, also referred to as The Little Man, is one of the antagonists of the story.

Also Read | Fall Movie Calendar: From ‘Blonde’ to ‘Wakanda Forever’

Who is The Coachman?

The Coachman can be characterized to be someone to radiate a sinister aura and who is keen on luring ‘stupid little boys’ to Pleasure Island, where they are turned into donkeys and sold on black market. In the 1940 film he is portrayed to be someone who is large and imposing (unlike how it was described in the novel). 

The Coachman is assisted by his henchmen who are silent black figures who lock the doors of Pleasure Island for him and assist him in other ways as well. The Coachman is known for his wickedness and his pleasure in destroying the lives of innocent little boys. 

He meets Honest John and Gideon and hires them to bring him naughty boys in exchange for an enormous amount of money. Unlike Stromboli, who is another antagonist, he pays the ones who work for him and is comparatively less greedy. However, he warned them to not double-cross him. He also tried to intimidate him by transforming into a demonic figure which can be considered to be an antithesis to the character of the Blue Fairy. 

Also Read | Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinnochio’ trailer out, film set for December release

Though potentially an antagonist, he is moralistic in a way. This is suggested because he is keen on teaching lessons to the boys on account of prolonged misbehavior. Instead of forcing or kidnapping the boys, he spreads rumors on the wonders of his island and thus, entices young boys into the trap. Pinocchio had been his victim.

His targets are disobedient boys who indulge in trouble for fun. In his opinion, they are gullible and therefore he calls them stupid. Luke Evans will play the role of the Coachman in Pinocchio 2022.