Tim Burton's 'Dumbo' not 'too sweet', says Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell says his upcoming Disney film "Dumbo" will not be an overly emotional story.

The 42-year-old actor said director Tim Burton has a problem with things becoming "too sweet".

"Tim is suspicious of things getting too sweet. When Tim comes in to give his notes, he is a 60-year-old. (But) watching the monitor, he is just a child. It was lovely to see that level of engagement," Farrell told Empire magazine.

"Dumbo" is an official remake of Disney's 1941 classic of the same name. It is based on the novel by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.

The story centres on a young elephant, named Dumbo, whose oversized ears enable him to fly and helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, he and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.

Farrell is playing the human lead, Holt Farrier, a war veteran hired to look after Dumbo.

Also featuring Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green and Alan Arkin, the film is scheduled to be released in March.