S
cooby-Doo is making the leap from animated antics to live-action in a new series, and Netflix is the one calling the shots. The streaming giant will pick up the franchise with an eight-episode show that will uncover how everyone’s favorite mystery-solving gang, and their beloved dog, first teamed up together.
Fans of the classic cartoon have been treated to countless reboots, movies, and spinoffs over the years, but Netflix’s upcoming live-action series will take us back to the very beginning, showing us the terrifying case that brought the iconic crew—Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and Scooby—together.
The official logline for the live-action series, reads: 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. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.”
Scooby-Doo: A Timeless Mystery
First, let’s take a look at the history of Scooby-Doo, which debuted in 1969. The original animated series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, became an instant sensation with its mix of light-hearted mystery, slapstick humor, and, of course, the cowardly-but-lovable talking Great Dane. In years past now, the franchise became a household name with numerous spin-offs, films, and crossovers, constantly reinventing itself to reflect changing tastes.
The 2002 live-action film Scooby-Doo, directed by Raja Gosnell, was the first major attempt to bring the characters to life on screen. While it received mixed reviews, it captured a sense of fun and adventure that resonated with audiences. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited the next step for Scooby-Doo in live-action form, hoping for something that could offer both a reverence for the past and an exciting direction for the future.
Now, with Netflix taking the reins, there’s new hope that this series could be the definitive live-action Scooby-Doo experience. “Mystery Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time,” said Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series at Netflix. “The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced. Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.”
The Mystery Behind the Mystery
The live-action series will be helmed by writers and showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, who will also serve as executive producers alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner (Midnight Radio). The four-man team will be bringing a cryptic-plus-creepy formula to reimagine Hanna-Barber’s beloved mystery-solving characters with a modern spin. With Netflix pulling the strings, we’re likely to see a more adventurous, boundary-pushing approach to the series, but the heart and humor of the franchise will remain the same. Midnight Radio’s André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner will join them as executive producers.
In partnership with Warner Bros., which holds the rights to Hanna-Barbera characters, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman will also executive produce through Berlanti Productions. “One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells,” Berlanti said. “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 Warners and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!”
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