Jon Favreau, a veteran in the realm of Disney movies, is collaborating with Disney to introduce a new Disney+ series centered around the classic animated character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. According to a Deadline report, Favreau will leverage his expertise in both live-action and animation to craft this upcoming series. He will take on the roles of writer and producer for the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit project. While the plot and casting details remain under wraps, excitement is building for this innovative blend of animation and live-action storytelling.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit holds a special place in Disney's history, having been created by Walt Disney himself. However, due to a rights dispute, Oswald starred in only 26 silent cartoons from 1927 to 1928 before Universal gained control. As detailed in our in-depth look at Disney’s 100-year history, the loss of Oswald led to a challenging period for Disney, which ultimately paved the way for the creation of Mickey Mouse. Disney regained the rights to Oswald in 2006 and celebrated this with the release of its first new original short starring the character in 95 years in 2022. Now, with Favreau's project, Disney aims to expand Oswald's legacy beyond a historical figure.
Although a release date for the Favreau series has not been disclosed, anticipation is high for this unique blend of live-action and animation. While working on Oswald, Favreau has also been deeply involved with some of Disney's newer franchises. Star Wars enthusiasts recognize him for his significant contributions to the franchise, including projects like The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, and Ahsoka. Additionally, Favreau has been a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the past 15 years, both behind and in front of the camera, and directed the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Fans can look forward to his next directorial venture, The Mandalorian and Grogu, set to hit theaters in 2026.
As Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is set to make a prominent return to the Disney family, it's worth noting that the character was featured in a recent film. In 2023, just after entering the public domain, Oswald appeared in Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole, a horror movie spin-off starring Ghostbusters actor Ernie Hudson.
