Disney's 1941 classic "Dumbo" tells the inspiring tale of a big-eared baby elephant named Jumbo who develops self-confidence in the face of ridicule and becomes a circus star. It's no surprise that director Tim Burton, a champion of quirky characters like Edward Scissorhands and Jack Skellington, is working on a live-action remake.
The problem is, Dumbo's original ending is not so happy by today's standards. Given what we now know about circus cruelty, it is troubling that Jumbo and his mother end up remaining in the circus. Recently, Ringling Bros. pledged to phase out elephants in its circus. It's becoming more widely accepted that elephants are not meant to be used for entertainment. Depicting circus elephants as happy and fulfilled -- or using live elephants as actors in Burton's live-action remake -- would insult viewers' intelligence and send a bad message to children.
Please sign the petition to urge Tim Burton to alter Dumbo's original storyline to add a modern twist: let Jumbo and his mom "fly away" from captivity and have a happy ending in an elephant sanctuary! All elephants -- fictional or real -- deserve a happy ending, not a life of being used for entertainment.
We, the undersigned, are excited to see your take on Walt Disney's classic, "Dumbo." As a champion of outcast characters, we have confidence that you'll give this classic the treatment it deserves.
The problem is, "Dumbo"'s original ending is not so happy by today's standards. Given what we now know about circus cruelty, it is troubling to let Jumbo and his mother remain in the circus. Recently, Ringling Bros. pledged to phase out elephants in their circus. We believe that depicting circus elephants as happy and fulfilled would insult viewers' intelligence and send a bad message to children.
We very respectfully urge you to alter "Dumbo"'s original storyline to add a modern twist. Please let Jumbo and his mom "fly away" from captivity and have a happy ending in an elephant sanctuary. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
