Scooby-Doo and the gang have been solving mysteries on a fairly consistent basis on television since the late 1960s, but it's been a while since they've been seen on the big screen. After two live action movies last decade, both of which earned mixed-to-negative reception, the property is being brought back as a fully animated reboot. Now it looks like actor/comedian Dax Shepard may be at the helm of this new Scooby-Doo installment.
Dax Shepard is currently in negotiations with Warner Bros to co-direct the Scooby-Doo animated movie. He was already working with screenwriter Matt Lieberman to pen the reboot, but now according to THR, his work has led to him shifting into a "larger creative role." If a deal is worked out, Shepard would work with Tony Cervone, a longtime animation producer whose work includes various Scooby-Doo projects (like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated), Duck Dodgers and The Looney Tunes Show. Charles Roven, Richard Suckle and Allison Abbate are listed as producers.
Although Dax Shepard is primarily known as an actor, he's by no means a directing novice. His directorial experience includes Brother's Justice, Hit and Run and the upcoming CHiPs, all of which he also wrote and starred in. (Hmm, does this mean he might also provide his voice for latest Scooby-Doo story?) Of course, animation is new territory for Shepard, but working with an animation expert should prove beneficial to getting the tone and feel of the Scooby-Doo movie just right. He has the comedy experience, while Tony Cervone has a lot of knowledge of the technical side of things, as well as a firm grasp on cartoon shenanigans.
Most of you know already know the basic Scooby-Doo premise. The eponymous talking dog and teenagers Shaggy, Daphne, Fred and Velma drive around in the Mystery Machine solving not normal, run-of-the-mill crimes, but special mysteries involving ghosts, zombies and other kinds of monsters. Usually the culprit is just a scheming person wearing a mask and costume, but occasionally these adventures have veered into legitimate mystical or extraterrestrial territory.
Beyond most, if not all, of those consistent elements being retained, there hasn't been any specific details yet about what the new Scooby-Doo movie will be like, but Warner Bros already has big plans for it. The reboot will reportedly be titled S.C.O.O.B., and it's intended to launch a Hanna-Barbera cinematic universe. That would see the Scooby-Doo characters living in the same world as The Flinstones, The Jetsons, Wacky Races, Yogi Bear and other properties from that family. Of course, the Scooby-Doo movie has to be successful for this new franchise to kick off. Think of this as Hanna Barbera's equivalent to Iron Man or Man of Steel.
The new Scooby-Doo movie is slated to hit theaters on September 21, 2018. Stay tuned to Cinema Blend for more news on its progress.
