Disney film veteran Jon Favreau is collaborating with the studio on a Disney+ series centered on the classic animated icon Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
According to a Deadline report, the actor and director will combine live-action and animation techniques to introduce Oswald to the Disney streaming platform via a television show. Favreau is set to write and produce the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. Additional information regarding the plot and casting remains under wraps.
Although Oswald holds enduring importance among Disney's wide array of animated anthropomorphic characters, his initial tenure with what is now a media giant was brief. Conceived by Walt Disney himself, the early mascot starred in only 26 silent cartoons from 1927 to 1928 before a rights dispute led Universal to assume control. As explored in our deep dive into Disney’s 100-year history, Oswald’s exit marked a difficult chapter for the animation pioneer but ultimately paved the way for a legendary successor: Mickey Mouse.
Disney reclaimed the rights to Oswald in 2006 and, in 2022, debuted the first new original short starring the character in 95 years. Now, it seems the company aims to evolve the character beyond a symbol of its legacy. Though a release date for Favreau’s project has not been announced, fans can likely anticipate the live-action/animation hybrid to arrive in the coming years.
While Favreau is focusing on one of Disney's earliest animated properties, he has also played a key role in some of its most recent franchises. Star Wars enthusiasts know him as a leading creative force shaping the future of the galaxy through series like The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, and Ahsoka. He has also contributed significantly to the Marvel Cinematic Universe both on-screen and behind the scenes for the past 15 years, and directed the 2019 remake of The Lion King. He is slated to return to the director's chair for the upcoming film The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for release in 2026.
As Oswald the Lucky Rabbit prepares for an official Disney comeback, his most recent film appearance was announced less than a year ago. In 2023, shortly after the character entered the public domain, Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole was announced—a horror-themed reinterpretation featuring Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson.
