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The Return of the Rocketeer
Screenplay byEugene Ashe
Based onThe Rocketeer
by Dave Stevens
Produced by
Production
companies
Distributed byDisney+
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Return of the Rocketeer is an upcoming superhero film based on then the comic book character created by Dave Stevens, and a reboot of the 1991 film, The Rocketeer. Written by Ed Ricourt, the film is expected to be released on Disney+.

Production

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While developing The Rocketeer (1991), screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, as well as The Rocketeer's creator Dave Stevens, saw the film as the first entry in a trilogy, while Disney hoped the film to start on a franchise in a similar vein to the Indiana Jones franchise.[1][2] Star Billy Campbell was set to reprise his role as Cliff Secord in two sequels, while Jennifer Conelly was set to reprise her role as Jenny Blake in one sequel.[3] However, plans for any sequel were halted after the film became a financial disappointemnt and, according to Stevens, tension developing between director Joe Johnston and Disney.[4]

On August 3, 2012, it was reported that a remake of The Rocketeer was in development at Disney.[5] On October 20, 2012, James Wan expressed interest on directing the remake.[6] However, the remake was ultimately unproduced. On July 28, 2016, it was announced that a "reboot sequel" of The Rocketeer was being developed by Disney, which would be headlined by a black female character and will be set in during the Cold War.[7] The film, titled The Rocketeers would be written by Max Winkler and Matt Spicer, while Brigham Taylor would produce the film along with Blake Griffin of Los Angeles Clippers and Ryan Kalil of Carolina Panthers.[7] Peter Ramsey expressed interest on directing the film, though he also recommended other directors such as Gina Prince-Bythewood, Darnell Martin and Amma Asante for the film.[8][9] On April 6, 2016, Taylor confirmed that the film will be a sequel.[10] On February 8, 2020, Azia Squire was revealed to have written a new draft for the film, while J. D. Dillard expressed interest in directing the film. It was announced to be in development for Disney+.[11]

It was announced in August 2021 that Disney+ had restarted development of a rebooted film based on the character, titled, The Return of the Rocketeer. Ed Ricourt was hired to write the screenplay while husband and wife duo David and Jessica Oyelowo were set as producers alongside Taylor as part of a producing deal between their company, Yoruba Saxon, and Disney. David is also being considered to star in the title role. The story would see the mantle of the Rocketeer be taken up by a retired Tuskegee Airman.[12] In November 2022, Dillard announced he was no longer involved in the project.[13]

In October 2023, Eugene Ashe was hired to write the screenplay.[14]

References

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  1. ^ CINEFANTASTIQUE MAGAZINE VOL. 22, NO. 1
  2. ^ Tom K Ranheim (August 1, 1991). "Cinefantastique - The Authorized Dave Stevens Web Site". Davestevens.com. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  3. ^ Salem, Rob. "Rocketing romance". Toronto Star, August 16, 1991.
  4. ^ mtv (January 9, 2008). "High-Flying Hero Billy Campbell Wants Return Of Rocketeer - MTV". Moviesblog.mtv.com. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  5. ^ Claude Brodesser-Akner. "Disney's The Rocketeer Being Reloaded". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  6. ^ Director James Wan Talks 'The Conjuring' & Dream Comic Book Movie. ScreenJunkies. October 20, 2012. Event occurs at 3m07s. Retrieved December 31, 2015 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b Kit, Borys (July 28, 2016). "'The Rocketeer' Reboot in the Works From Disney (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Peter Ramsey [@pramsey342] (July 28, 2016). "Whaaaaaaaat...okay Disney, gimme a shot. via @bmoviesd" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Peter Ramsey [@pramsey342] (July 28, 2016). "And yet ... a Black woman in helmet combo sounds pretty cool too, @DisneyStudios. @GPBmadeit Darnell Martin @AmmaAsante" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Marshall, Rick (April 9, 2016). "'The Jungle Book' producer on talking animals, 'The Rocketeer' sequel, and Del Toro's 'Haunted Mansion'". Digital Trends.
  11. ^ Shuler, Skyler (February 8, 2020). "'Sleight' Director Wants To Make A Sequel/Reboot To 'The Rocketeer'". The DisInsider.
  12. ^ ‘The Rocketeer’ Making A Comeback On Disney+ With David Oyelowo Producing & Circling To Star; Ed Ricourt Penning
  13. ^ Taylor, Drew (November 8, 2022). "'Devotion' Filmmaker J.D. Dillard No Longer Developing 'Star Wars' Movie for Lucasfilm (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  14. ^ Disney+ ‘Rocketeer’ Reboot Lands ‘Sylvie’s Love’ Writer Eugene Ashe (Exclusive)
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