We’ve seen the cast of Netflix‘s new Scooby-Doo: Origins in character, but one key component of the ensemble has remained under wraps: the title character. We’ve finally seen Origins‘ take on Scooby-Doo, and it’s something that has never been done before, and will solve the biggest problem of the previous live-action interpretations of the character. The series will premiere on Netflix in 2027.
A horror-themed video shared by the streamer on social media teases the appearance of a fearsome creature stalking its prey, only to reveal Scooby-Doo, as an adorable puppy, being held by Shaggy (Tanner Hagen). This means that for the first time ever, Scooby-Doo will be played in live-action by a dog. Netflix has not named the canine actor or actors who will step into the pawprints of Scooby-Doo, but there are strong indications that he is a good boy. In the live-action films Scooby-Doo and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, as well as the direct-to-Cartoon Network telefilms The Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster, the eponymous Great Dane was brought to life via computer-generated dogs of somewhat dubious quality; a live-action dog will avoid any of the “uncanny valley” issues of those other productions. The other key component of previous Scooby-Doos was the voice of veteran voice actor Frank Welker, who has provided the voice for the character since 2002, taking over from the late Don Messick, who originated the role. There’s no indication yet if Scooby-Doo will speak in Origins, or if Welker will be involved in any capacity.
What Do We Know About ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’?
Longtime teenage pals Shaggy (Hagen, The Pitt) and Daphne (Mckenna Grace, Scream 7) are enjoying their last summer at camp when they get caught up in a bizarre mystery involving Scooby-Doo, an orphaned Great Dane puppy, who may be the only witness to a bizarre and possibly supernatural murder. To get to the bottom of it, they’ll need the help of nerdy, bespectacled townie Velma (Abby Ryder Fortson, Ant-Man), and mysterious but handsome Fred (Maxwell Jenkins, Reacher). Soon, they find themselves in a race against time to find the real perpetrator, before all of their deepest secrets can be revealed. The series also stars Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell).
Scooby-Doo: Origins is showrun by Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, a duo behind shows like High Fidelity, Citadel, and From. It is executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman (via Berlanti Productions), André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson (via Midnight Radio), and Toby Haynes; Haynes also directs the pilot.
Scooby-Doo: Origins will be released in 2027; it is currently in production in Atlanta, Georgia.
via Collider