Over the greater than 100 years that the Walt Disney Firm has existed, it has produced quite a few iconic characters. None of them maintain a candle to the success of Mickey Mouse, in fact, however earlier than Mickey, there was one other that not everyone is aware of about. Oswald the Fortunate Rabbit was Walt Disney’s first creation, and practically a century later, Oswald is reportedly coming again.
Earlier this week, it was reported {that a} Disney+ animated collection based mostly on The Princess and the Frog’s Tiana had been shelved, however at the moment, Deadline says one other animated character will probably be getting his personal present as a substitute. Jon Favreau is reportedly writing and producing the brand new collection that may mix animation with live-action.
It’s an fascinating option to focus a brand new collection round a personality who is almost 100 years outdated, one which many audiences gained’t know, however this isn’t even the primary time {that a} new collection based mostly on Oswald has been proposed, and I believe it’s all as a result of Disney CEO Bob Iger is an enormous Oswald fan.
Bob Iger Introduced Oswald Again To Disney
The story of Oswald the Fortunate Rabbit is the story of the beginning of Mickey Mouse himself. Whereas Walt Disney and his animating companion Ub Iwerks developed the look and magnificence of the character within the Twenties, it was owned by Common, who the Disney Brothers Studio was working for. Finally, Walt misplaced Oswald in an influence battle along with his distributor, driving him to develop a brand new character, who grew to become Mickey Mouse.
Many years later, in one of many strangest offers in Hollywood historical past, Disney CEO Bob Iger would commerce the contract of sportscaster Al Michaels to Common-owned NBC for, amongst different issues, the rights to Oswald the Fortunate the Rabbit and all the unique cartoons that Walt and his animators had created.
Why did Bob Iger do that? Properly, as a result of he made a promise to Walt Disney’s daughter. Upon the return of Oswald to Disney, Diane Disney Miller stated…
When Bob was named CEO, he informed me he wished to carry Oswald again to Disney, and I recognize that he’s a person of his phrase.
No matter it was that made Bob Iger an enormous fan of Oswald, he clearly was one. Oswald would go on to seem within the Epic Mickey online game and its sequel, in addition to numerous merchandise. He’s additionally a personality within the parks, usually discovered at Disney’s California Journey.
Iger Gave The Greenlight to An Oswald Collection As soon as Already
However that’s not the tip of the story as a result of the brand new Disney+ collection based mostly on Oswald truly isn’t the primary time that such a present had been deliberate. Again in 2021, we discovered that one other Oswald the Fortunate Rabbit collection had been in growth for Disney+. Bob Iger was reportedly an enormous proponent of the idea.
Nevertheless, that undertaking fell aside. Whereas it’s unclear why, Bob Iger was not CEO on the time that we discovered the undertaking was lifeless. At that time, the job belonged to Bob Chapek. Now Iger is CEO once more, and a brand new Oswald collection is in early manufacturing. A coincidence? Perhaps, however I doubt it.
As a fan of Disney historical past, and Oswald particularly, I’m enthusiastic about this new present. I simply hope it truly occurs. Bob Iger is about to go away Disney once more on the finish of 2026, and with out Oswald’s champion working the present, something may occur.