Jon Favreau's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Series Coming to Disney+

Disney movie veteran Jon Favreau is teaming up with Disney once again, this time to bring the classic animated icon Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to life on Disney+. According to a report from Deadline, Favreau will leverage his expertise in both live-action and animation to create a series that showcases Oswald. Favreau is set to take on the roles of writer and producer for this exciting project, although specifics such as the plot and casting details are yet to be disclosed.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit holds a significant place in Disney's pantheon of animated characters, despite his brief tenure with the company. Originally conceived by Walt Disney, Oswald starred in 26 silent cartoons from 1927 to 1928 before a rights dispute resulted in Universal acquiring control. As detailed in our comprehensive review of Disney's 100-year journey, the loss of Oswald led to a challenging period for Disney but ultimately paved the way for the creation of Mickey Mouse.

Disney regained the rights to Oswald in 2006, and in 2022, the company released its first new original short featuring the character in 95 years. Now, with Favreau at the helm, Disney aims to further cement Oswald's legacy beyond a mere symbol of its history. Although a release date for Favreau's series remains under wraps, fans can anticipate a unique blend of live-action and animation in the future.

While Favreau is revisiting one of Disney's oldest characters, he's also deeply involved with some of its most contemporary franchises. Star Wars enthusiasts will recognize his significant contributions to the franchise through projects like The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, and Ahsoka. Additionally, Favreau has left an indelible mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both as a director and actor, over the past 15 years, including directing the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Fans can look forward to seeing him direct again in the upcoming theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for 2026.

As Oswald the Lucky Rabbit prepares for a prominent return under the Disney banner, it's worth noting that the character made a recent appearance in the 2023 horror film Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole, featuring Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson, just a year after entering the public domain.