The Rocketeer is getting ready to explore the sky once again, with Disney+ hiring Eugene Ashe to write the upcoming reboot series that will put a spin on the narrative told in the 1991 cult classic, according to The Wrap. While it is unknown what the new iteration of the character will deal with when he debuts on the streaming platform, David Oyelowo has been attached to star in the project for quite some time. The actor will also serve as a producer in the upcoming show, while he puts on the helmet and jet pack in a new version of a beloved hero.

The project was originally announced in 2020, when the previous attempt at reviving the franchise was officially declared as canceled. J.D. Dillard was originally supposed to direct the sequel, but it was announced that would step away from the project in November of last year. By hiring Ashe to write a new screenplay for the character, it’s clear that Disney is ready to continue with the development of the sequel, setting the stage for a new iteration of the masked vigilante to save the day.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars have become the main attractions Disney+ has to offer, the studio is looking to diversify their slate outside their big franchises, which is why The Rocketeer seemed like the logical next step to entertain the same audience demographic. Now that the Writers Guild of America strike has come to an end, work can be done on a new screenplay for the project, in a story created by the writer behind Sylvie’s Love. A new director for the upcoming movie has been announced yet, making it hard to predict when the sequel could arrive to the platform’s catalog.

The Previous Rocketeer

The sequel starring David Oyelowo will follow the 1991 period action story directed by Joe Johnston, where Billy Campbell played a young man different from the rest of the heroes seen on the big screen. As a period piece, The Rocketeer took place in 1938, when Clifford Secord (Campbell) found his signature rocket pack after the criminals who stole it left it behind. The movie featured Jennifer Connelly as the hero’s love interest, in a film that would develop a strong fan base since the time of its release. The legacy of The Rocketeer will continue once the sequel can fly towards Disney+ in the near future, continuing the hero’s legacy more than thirty years after his debut.

via Collider