Netflix has officially confirmed the development of a live-action “Scooby-Doo” series, marking the beloved franchise’s first leap into the live-action realm on the streaming platform. The series will consist of eight episodes, delving into the origins of Mystery Inc. and the unlikely partnership between the iconic Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, and his meddling friends.
Initially reported in April 2024, the series received a script-to-series commitment from Netflix. Showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, both seasoned writers and producers, are joined by André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner as executive producers through their Midnight Radio banner. Additional executive producers include Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman, who will be working under Berlanti Productions. The series will be produced by Warner Bros. Television, with Berlanti Productions currently holding an overall deal with the studio, which controls the rights to Hanna-Barbera characters.
Peter Friedlander, Vice President of Scripted Series at Netflix, expressed his excitement, stating, “Mystery, Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time. The beloved franchise has had an undeniable impact on pop culture, and we look forward to delighting both longtime fans and introducing this groovy world to a new generation of viewers.”
The official logline for the series teases a modern reimagining of the classic cartoon. “During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder,” it reads. “Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie Velma and the mysterious yet charming new kid Freddy, they set out to solve the case, but what they uncover may threaten to expose secrets each of them wishes to keep hidden.”
Greg Berlanti, a key figure behind the project, shared his nostalgic connection to the franchise, recalling, “One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells. Josh, Scott, and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that honors their genius creation. We are grateful to all our partners for helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life.”
This live-action project will not be the first of its kind. The 2002 “Scooby-Doo” film, starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini, was a commercial success, grossing over $250 million worldwide. A sequel, “Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed,” followed in 2004, grossing over $180 million. Additionally, the 2009 and 2010 TV films, “Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins” and its sequel, offered another live-action take on the iconic mystery-solving gang.
The franchise has a rich history of animated projects, starting with the original 1969 cartoon and continuing through various animated series and films. Most recently, the animated film “Scoob! Holiday Haunt” was canceled by Max in a cost-cutting decision. Additionally, the animated “Velma” series, starring Mindy Kaling, ran for two seasons on Max before its cancellation.
Clancy Collins White, President of Creative Affairs for Warner Bros. Television, praised the collaboration, saying, “It’s no mystery why audiences have continued to love these iconic characters for over fifty years. We’re excited for a new generation to discover Mystery Inc., and we’re grateful to our partners at Netflix for bringing this live-action version of Scooby-Doo to life.”
This announcement follows Netflix’s increasing focus on adapting animated shows into live-action series, with successful projects like “One Piece” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” already drawing significant attention. The streaming giant has also adapted titles such as “Cowboy Bebop,” “Death Note,” and “Fullmetal Alchemist” into live-action versions.
Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg are represented by WME and Sloane Offer, while Midnight Radio is repped by WME, Sloane Offer, and Ziffren Brittenham. Berlanti is represented by CAA and Felker Toczek.
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