Jon Favreau to Develop ‘Oswald The Lucky Rabbit’ Series for Disney+

Filmmaker Jon Favreau is diving back into Disney history with a brand-new project centered on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This cartoon character, created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927, has a rich history predating the beloved Mickey Mouse. While Oswald has largely resided in the shadows of Disney’s lore, this new series aims to introduce him to modern audiences in a significant way.

Originally a star of silent shorts, Oswald was one of Disney’s earliest successes until the rights to the character were lost to Universal Pictures. This loss spurred the creation of Mickey Mouse, who quickly became an iconic symbol of Disney. Over 80 years later, Disney reacquired the rights to Oswald, sparking his reappearance in various projects like the Epic Mickey video game series and the recent Once Upon a Studio short film celebrating Disney’s heritage.

The upcoming Disney+ series will blend live-action and animation elements, much like the classic films “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and “Space Jam.” With Jon Favreau onboard as both a writer and a producer, known for his work on projects like “The Jungle Book” and “The Lion King,” it’s clear that Disney is aiming to give Oswald a fresh start and broaden his appeal beyond dedicated Disney enthusiasts.

Favreau is no stranger to influencing Disney’s franchises, having played a pivotal role in the success of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe through “Iron Man” and revitalizing “Star Wars” with “The Mandalorian.” His experience in blending humor and storytelling makes him a fitting choice to bring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back into the spotlight.

While details about the series are still scarce, the combination of live-action, animation, and Favreau’s involvement indicates that Oswald is being treated with care and respect, setting the stage for a long-overdue resurgence of this historical character.