Summary
- Netflix is producing a live-action Scooby-Doo series exploring the gang’s origin story.
- Concerns have arisen due to past live-action adaptations, but Netflix aims to capture the essence of the original.
- The show will delve into a mystery involving Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, and Fred, set during their formative years.
Scooby-Doo is back, and this time, it’s Netflix that is producing a live-action series featuring the iconic pup and the Mystery Inc. gang. The announcement received mixed reactions on social media, with many showing concern about how it would turn out. However, they might all just be in for a pleasant surprise.
Scooby-Doo has been around since 1969, originally produced by Hanna-Barbera, which later became part of Warner Bros. Animation. The talking Great Dane and his friends transitioned to live-action with the 2002 cult classic film (written by present-day DCU boss James Gunn), which made Matthew Lillard’s Shaggy a pop culture icon. Many follow-ups tried to recreate this success, but they all fell short. The only things keeping the character mildly relevant were cartoon shows like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and What’s New, Scooby-Doo? However, that’s about to change.
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‘Mystery Inc. Is Back In Business!’ Scooby-Doo Live Action Origin Series Greenlit at Netflix
Fans of the Scooby-Doo franchise have wondered what the franchise will do next since Velma was scrapped, and the answer’s no longer a mystery.
Netflix Announces A Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series
Mystery Inc.’s Origin Story Is Going To Be Retold
On March 26, Netflix announced an eight-episode live-action Scooby-Doo series. This new take on the classic Warner Bros. cartoon will explore how the mystery-solving gang and their famous dog first came together. The series comes from Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions, the team behind the live-action Archieverse TV franchise, which includes Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, who worked on Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, will be the showrunners.
According to the official logline from Netflix, this new Scooby-Doo series will revolve around Shaggy and Daphne during their last summer at Camp Ruby-Spears – a subtle nod to the cartoon’s original creators, Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. The old friends uncover a mystery involving a lost Great Dane puppy who may have seen a supernatural murder. They team up with scientific townie, Velma, and the strange but ever-so-handsome new kid, Freddy. Together, they investigate a mysterious case that could expose their deepest secrets.
Essentially, this is an origin story exploring how the Mystery Inc. gang first came together and tackled the haunting case that started it all. About a year ago, reports surfaced that Netflix was considering this project with a script-to-series commitment. The series remains untitled, and no casting has been announced yet, though more details are expected soon. The show is unlikely to premiere for at least a couple of years, considering the production pace of most streaming shows.
Scooby-Doo Faces Serious Doubts After Cowboy Bebop Flop
Can This Netflix Live-Action Adaptation Actually Succeed?
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Title |
TBD (Untitled Scooby-Doo Live-Action Series) |
|
Platform |
Netflix |
|
Episodes |
8 |
|
Production Companies |
Berlanti Productions, Midnight Radio, Warner Bros. Television |
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Showrunners |
Josh Appelbaum, Scott Rosenberg |
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Based On |
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969) by Joe Ruby & Ken Spears |
A live-action Scooby-Doo origin series might have sounded like the best thing to happen to the franchise back in its glory days, especially after the 2000s films. However, today, there is significant concern about how it will be received, as recent years haven’t been kind to live-action adaptations of popular animated IPs. Take Cowboy Bebop, for example — Netflix’s version was canceled after just one disappointing season. Since the same showrunners are behind Scooby-Doo, that’s not exactly reassuring.
However, they might deserve another chance. The original Cowboy Bebop anime was never meant to be adapted into live-action, as its unique space-western style was unlike anything seen before. But Scooby-Doo has already aced live-action before, and there’s a solid blueprint from past movies to follow.
To give credit where it’s due, Netflix has had some success with live-action adaptations of animated hits. Unlike Cowboy Bebop, One Piece remains one of the stronger attempts at adapting anime or manga to live-action. The Addams Family spinoff Wednesday also honored the franchise without straying too far from the spirit of the original cartoons.
Can Greg Berlanti Deliver A Great Scooby-Doo Series?
Riverdale Comparisons Vs. Past Successes Like You
Some Scooby-Doo fans also seem to worry about Berlanti Productions leading the series, given their divisive work on Riverdale. However, the same production house is also behind You, Stargirl, and Superman & Lois, all of which have been successful. With You ending next month, this project keeps Berlanti Productions active on Netflix. It also has personal meaning for Greg Berlanti, who spoke to Netflix’s TUDUM about it:
One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cels. Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warner and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!
Scooby-Doo Needs To Avoid Another Velma Disaster
The Live-Action Series Should Embrace Campy Fun
The upcoming series needs to have a tone similar to the campy, meta-comedy of the 2000s Scooby-Doo movies. But recreating that kind of camp isn’t easy, and this also might not be the best time to experiment. After all, Warner Bros. already alienated much of the fandom with the disastrously received Velma. Many Scooby-Doo fans simply want the franchise to return to its roots: silly, corny horror-comedy fun. But there are already a lot of positives to look out for.
For example, having Shaggy and Daphne start out as old friends offers a fresh take on the story. Since this is the first-ever live-action Scooby-Doo series (rather than a standalone film), it could allow more time for the Mystery Inc. gang to develop together. Starting with Scooby-Doo’s puppy years means the gang will likely be kids or preteens rather than older teens.
Can Netflix’s Scooby-Doo Appeal to All Ages?
Warner Bros. Tries An Outside Perspective
That doesn’t mean the show won’t appeal to older viewers, though. With Stranger Things ending, Netflix might even try to incorporate some of its early supernatural mystery vibes if it suits Scooby-Doo’s style. However, fans are also cautious about Netflix’s apparent “modern reimagining,” especially with HBO’s Velma being the latest and most heavily panned Scooby-Doo project.
So, this new live-action series on Netflix might just be a welcome change. Additionally, Warner Bros. partnering with Netflix for this project suggests that they gave HBO Max its chance with Velma and have now decided to try a different approach. Similar to DC’s The Sandman, which is also a Warner Bros.-owned property licensed to Netflix, Scooby-Doo could benefit from an outside perspective rather than another in-house production.
