I had doubts, but Netflix’s live-action Scooby-Doo sounds like it actually has a chance

I had my concerns about Scooby-Doo: The Live-Action Seriesbut the upcoming Netflix series already has a lot to live up to. Over the years, there have been dozens of films and television series about Scooby-Doo and his group of teenage friends, some animated and others live-action. While the characters and their various mysteries are beloved, many of them have fallen short. They have failed to capture the essence of what the original Scooby-Doo Hanna-Barberra cartoon was really something. However, after hearing from Greg Berlanti, I am convinced that he gets it.

Berlanti’s company, Berlanti Productions, will produce the upcoming live-action film Scooby-Doo TV show that will stream on Netflix sometime in the next few years. Berlanti is best known for his work as a producer on the Arrowverse series, RiverdaleAnd The Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaand although this is an impressive resume, it does not necessarily mean that you can give him an IP like Scooby-DooTime has already shown that There are many ways such a series can go wrongso my hopes were not too high for the Scooby-Doo TV show. However, Berlanti caught my interest.

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Greg Berlanti’s respect and admiration for Scooby-Doo is comforting

It looks like Netflix’s live-action Scooby-Doo show is in good hands

An interview with Berlanti about his film 2024 Fly me to the moon saw the producer talk about his hopes and dreams for the upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo television show, and I feel encouraged. The producer revealed that one of his first jobs in show business was at Hanna-Barberaand worked with Joe Barbera and Bill Hanna himself. Berlanti noted that his favorite part of the job was talking with Barbera about how Scooby-Doo was created and to learn everything about what made these characters “particularly“:

One of my first jobs in the business was working as a temp at Hanna-Barbera. I sat with Joe Barbera and Bill Hanna while they signed animation cels. I would go in the morning and get a stack of these animation cels with my boss. First I went to Bill Hanna’s office. He was a very stoic guy. His office was very bare. And then came my favorite part of the day, visiting Joe Barbera. He was such a life force. He signed the cels, but he would stop and regale me with the most amazing stories. He was such a raconteur.

He told stories about how Scooby came to be and what they were thinking and how it was in the late ’60s and kids were feeling attacked by adults and overwhelmed and needed to be empowered. When they pitched it to Bill Paley, he said you need a dog or something. And that was the birth of Scooby-Doo. Joe was such a special storyteller and I was so hooked. I’d always loved them as a kid. And like I said, with all works, whether it’s Hanna-Barbera or DC or anything at Warners, you feel lucky to be the historian that helps bring them into a new generation. You just go back to the spirit and the DNA of what makes them so special. With Scooby-Doo, we listened to pitches for a year and a half and finally found one that we thought was a really good fit. I just worked on the pitch for the first episode this morning. So we’re really excited.

I am particularly fascinated by what Berlanti said about the honor of being a “historian” that helps introduce beloved IP”into a new generation.” It shows that the producer understands that these are not just stories that can be manipulated and capitalized on, but parts of one of the coolest things humanity has done for centuries – storytelling. Berlanti is aware of the “Spirit” And “DNA” from Scooby-Dooafter learning from the creators themselves, and that gives me hope that the upcoming series will be something special.

It sounds like Greg Berlanti has taken all the precautions to make Scooby-Doo great on Netflix

Berlanti doesn’t rush into anything

It is easy enough to use a property like Scooby-Doo with awe, but Berlanti needs to prove he extends that respect to the upcoming live-action TV show. Thankfully, he’s already starting to do so. The producer noted that it took a year and a half to finally agree on a pitch.suggesting that he is willing to put in the time and patience to bring Netflix something truly phenomenal. Slow and steady wins the race, and I hope that Berlanti’s comments suggest that this is the mantra of Scooby-Doo: The Live-Action Series.

Why Modern Scooby-Doo Reboots Have Failed (and How Netflix’s Live-Action Can Do Better)

Since the original Scooby-Doo cartoon of the late 1960s, the property has gone in many strange directions. There have been animated series and films, live-action films, and even adult comedy shows. These have had varying degrees of success, but it’s been a long time since anything has resonated with audiences. The 2020 film Chocolate! was a big flop for Warner Bros. and the comedy for adults Velma was at least controversial (and at worst, just plain awful). Netflix’s live-action series Scooby-Doo still has a lot to prove, but is already on the right track.

As Berlanti said, a good Scooby-Doo A television show must capture the heart of the original cartoon. While it is important for modern projects to bring in elements that make them work with today’s audience, the foundation of the beloved intellectual property must be preserved. The “DNA” must remain the same, even if the appearance of the characters or the complexity of their storylines are a little different. The upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo could be darker, grimmer, sillier or more profound than the original, but The core of these characters’ personalities and their importance to each other must remain unchanged.. As long as this happens, I am happy.

Scooby Doo! The live-action series (2024)

Scooby-Doo! The live-action series is a new adaptation of the classic cartoon that brings the beloved characters to life in a live-action format. The show follows the legendary Mystery Inc. gang, consisting of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby, on their journey through mysterious and supernatural adventures.

Seasons

1

Authors

Josh Appelbaum, Scott Rosenberg

Main genre

adventure

Creator

Joe Ruby and Ken Spears

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