A picture of the animation "Winnie the Pooh." [File photo: Baidu]

Disney has announced it's developing a live-action movie version of "Winnie the Pooh."

"Listen Up Philip" writer-director Alex Ross Perry has been hired to write the adaptation.

The focus will be on an adult version of the book's Christopher Robin. Perry was hired after pitching a take on the story to the studio.

The Winnie the Pooh bear character was created by A. A. Milne for a collection of stories in the 1926 book "Winnie-the-Pooh" and the 1928 book "The House at Pooh Corner."

Disney licensed the rights to the character in 1961, leading to TV shows and four feature films.

Recently Disney sought box-office success with a live-action version of "Cinderella" and has similar plans for an upcoming live-action retelling of "Beauty and the Beast."