Greg Berlanti and Netflix are teaming up for an exciting new project that will bring the beloved Hanna-Barbera animated cartoon Scooby-Doo to life in a live-action TV series. The streaming giant is close to finalizing a deal for this series, which has a script-to-series commitment. This means that if the script is well-received, it will trigger a straight-to-series order, making this live-action update of the classic cartoon a reality.
Representatives for Netflix, Warner Bros. Television, and Berlanti Productions have declined to comment as the deal has not yet been formally closed. However, the anticipation surrounding this project is palpable.
Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, who previously adapted “Cowboy Bebop” for Netflix and “High Fidelity” for Hulu, are set to write the script and executive produce the series through their Midnight Radio banner. André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner from Midnight Radio will also be involved. Berlanti and his Berlanti Productions partner Sarah Schechter will serve as executive producers alongside Leigh London Redman from the same company. Jonathan Gabay from Berlanti Productions and Adrienne Erickson from Midnight Radio will be credited as co-executive producers. Warner Bros. Television, which owns the animation studio Hanna-Barbera, will be the studio behind the series.
This live-action take on Scooby-Doo follows Warner Bros. Pictures’ relaunch of the franchise in the early 2000s with a live-action feature film. The movie, written by James Gunn and starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Rowan Atkinson, grossed $275 million worldwide and led to a sequel two years later. Although a third film was ultimately scrapped, Cartoon Network produced a live-action comedy horror film in 2009 with a largely unknown cast.
More recently, Warner Bros.’ corporate sibling Max launched an animated spinoff called “Velma,” geared toward adults. The second season of the series, from executive producer and voice star Mindy Kaling, debuted in April and is currently awaiting word on its future.
Created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, the animated Scooby-Doo cartoon aired in syndication on CBS and ABC until it was canceled in 1986. Over the years, the franchise has seen numerous adaptations and spinoffs, solidifying its place as one of the greatest TV cartoons in history.
The Scooby-Doo drama comes as Berlanti continues to deliver successful projects for Netflix. In addition to the Lifetime-turned-Netflix hit “You,” Berlanti recently launched “Dead Boy Detectives,” an offshoot of “Sandman,” which landed in Netflix’s top 10 U.S. series within its first 24 hours of launch. Berlanti Productions was also behind Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” Berlanti/Schechter Films had a first-look feature deal with the streamer. Berlanti’s TV roster includes Max’s “The Girls on the Bus,” the final season of The CW’s “Superman & Lois,” “All American,” “All American: Homecoming,” NBC’s “Found,” and the upcoming medical drama “Dr. Wolf.” Berlanti is represented by CAA and Felker Toczek.
For Midnight Radio, the Scooby-Doo series would be the latest addition to their prolific production portfolio, following Amazon’s “Citadel” and MGM+’s “From.” The company, represented by WME, previously adapted “Cowboy Bebop” as a live-action series from its anime original.
The excitement surrounding this new live-action Scooby-Doo series is a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise. Fans of the original cartoon and newcomers alike are eagerly awaiting the chance to see Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne solve mysteries in a fresh, live-action format. With Greg Berlanti at the helm and a talented team of writers and producers on board, this series promises to be a thrilling addition to the Scooby-Doo legacy.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
