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Why Who Framed Roger Rabbit never got a sequel

posted 6 years ago by TMC-4 (19391)
8 replies | jump to latest

http://www.looper.com/98856/framed-roger-rabbit-never-got-sequel/

Way back in 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit single-handedly raised the big-screen animation game. Based on a cult satirical mystery novel by Gary K. Wolf called Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, the film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, was a dazzling, seamless blend of classic cartoon characters with live-action settings and actors. Set in the 1940s, in scandal-laden Toontown, it gave the culture memorable characters like the wacky and anxious Roger Rabbit, his preposterously attractive wife Jessica, and hard-boiled detective Eddie Valiant. Who Framed Roger Rabbit earned a sprightly $156 million at the domestic box office and took home four Academy Awards. Yet, apart from a handful of short films, the seemingly inevitable Roger Rabbit follow-up never happened. Did sequel plans get "dipped"? Not exactly—but close.

[–] FredBurroughs (19645) 6 years ago

Why would I click that link when I know it's posted by someone who contributes nothing original to these boards?

[–] legnadibrom (5697) 6 years ago

give him another chance, fred

[–] agoodvintage (27) 6 years ago

As much as m childhood self wold love a sequel, most if not all of these makes sense.

[–] degree7 (821) 4 years ago

So basically it was all Michael Eisner’s fault.

[–] TMC-4 (19391) 3 years ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/ldri00/roger_rabbit_2_would_look_amazing_using_tom/

Reasons Roger Rabbit sequel could be made:

- Companies are now way more open to work with each other. While companies pull their IPs for their own streaming, we've seen a number of major crossover films in recent years. From Wreck It Ralph and its sequel to Ready Player One. The legal wrangling and such is easier now than in 1988

- With the fast rise of Disney Plus, Disney is aggressively going over all their IPS for sequels and spinoffs in the coming years. Looking at their 2021-2023 slate its insane to see what dormant classics are being mined, but with quality in a way the old VHS cheapquels didn't receive

- The "style" of Roger Rabbit can finally be achieved with 3d software, given the look of Tom and Jerry. Even SpongeBob's new movie takes 3d and turns it into a strange different type of aesthetic. The 1998 test footage of Roger Rabbit 2 that leaked glimpsed at the possibilities that are out there.

- The modern day celebrity actors that would jump at the opportunity. You can think of any top comedy or drama or legacy actor and they'd jump for the role

- The only hindering aspect may be the more subversive elements. Things have become more sensitive and rigid in what can be shown in both a PG and just in overall content these days. But I think with the right clever braintrust of writers and ideas, it could be done.

[–] gluserty (605) 3 years ago

Things have certainly become more sensitive & rigid alright: I'm a sensitive person myself, but I think we've taken things too far. I don't know if a Roger Rabbit sequel is necessary, but I'd be open to it if done right & tight.

[–] kenburke (2279) 3 years ago

Maybe it cost too much.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7390) 3 years ago

With WB and Disney in a bad relationship it probably could only have Disney characters in it.