Roger Rabbit Rights Revert to Original Author, New Projects Planned
The rights to the beloved character Roger Rabbit have reverted to original author Gary K. Wolf after 35 years, paving the way for potential new films and projects independent of Disney.
Wolf, who penned the novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? – the basis for the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit – confirmed the reversion through the 35-Year Copyright Reversion Clause. He stated his intention to develop new Roger Rabbit projects, emphasizing a commitment to quality. “Any sequels that we do have to at least match the quality of the original [1988] movie,” Wolf said. “That’s what the fans want, and I have promised the fans that’s what I’m going to give them.”
The process of reclaiming the rights was surprisingly amicable, with Disney being “top-notch” and “very courteous” throughout, according to Wolf. He revealed that a live-action film centered on Jessica Rabbit, based on his novel Jessica Rabbit: XERIOUS Business, is currently the most developed project. This news arrives as fans have long hoped for a continuation of the groundbreaking live-action/animation hybrid that redefined cinematic possibilities.
Wolf also expressed a desire for potential collaboration with Disney in the future, even suggesting a more faithful adaptation of his original novel. He added, “I’m looking to have fun with this and give fans what they have been wanting for 35 years.” The original Who Framed Roger Rabbit, directed by Robert Zemeckis, remains a critically acclaimed film, boasting a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered a landmark achievement in visual effects.
Wolf is actively developing projects and anticipates further announcements regarding the future of Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit in the coming months.
