Roger Rabbit...RETURNS???

[The Conundrum]

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/29...-rabbit-movie/

EXCLUSIVE: Robert Zemeckis ‘Buzzing’ About Second ‘Roger Rabbit’ Movie
Published by Eric Ditzian on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 2:49 pm.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” came out 20 years ago and grossed $330 million worldwide, and for all the talk about another big screen venture for the animated bunny and his voluptuous sweetheart Jessica, nothing over the last two decades moved into production. And it was starting to seem like nothing ever would.

But when MTV News caught up with director Robert Zemeckis recently, he dropped a news bomb that had our eyes popping cartoon-style out of our sockets. “I’ll tell you what is buzzing around in my head now that we have the ability—the digital tools, performance capture—I’m starting to think about ‘Roger Rabbit,’” he told us.

Combing traditional animation with live-action, “Roger Rabbit” was a staggering achievement that employed cutting-edge technology without sacrificing the demands of first-rate storytelling. It won four Oscars, including nods for visual effects, editing and a special achievement award for animation direction. But Zemeckis hasn’t toiled in live-action since 2000’s “Cast Away”, preferring instead to work with performance capture in films like “The Polar Express” and the upcoming Jim Carrey vehicle, “A Christmas Carol.”

All of which had us desperate for any more info Zemeckis could provide about a new “Roger Rabbit.” When pressed, however, he demurred.

P-p-p-please?!

“I can’t give you more details,” Zemeckis said, letting us down gently.

Okay, then, we’ll air our questions here. How exactly will performance capture factor in? When we spoke recently with Michael Lantieri, the special effects supervisor on the original “Roger Rabbit,” he talked about how very soon filmmakers will be able to combine performance capture with outdoor, real-time photography. Might the new “Roger Rabbit” employ this technology? Will the story be lifted from the long-rumored, never-produced “Roger Rabbit” sequel script? Or will Zemeckis commission a new screenplay? And casting! Will the man who voiced, Roger—Charles Fleischer—reprise his role? And might Bob Hoskins as private investigator Eddie Valiant return?

So many questions that shall, alas, remain unanswered for the moment. You’ll just have to, er, stay tooned…

Thers also a video of him talking about it at the link above. I hope they make another!

What does this mean for all of the parks????

 

[dreamfinder]

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/29...-rabbit-movie/



Thers also a video of him talking about it at the link above. I hope they make another!

What does this mean for all of the parks????

I don't know if it means all that much. My understanding was that Disney wanted to do much much more with Roger in the parks, but that all the other parties involved wanted nothing more to do with it. I don't know if that much would have changed in 20 years.

 

[bgraham34]

I thought I had heard that Disney was not apart of this venture of a new film.

 

[SeanC]

Zemeckis is signed on at Disney to produce motion capture films so they ould be involved unless that deal expires first.

 

[Thrill Seeker]

Roger Rabbit is a character owned by Disney, so it has to be done by Disney.

 

[TubaGeek]

PLEASE let there be a new Roger Rabbit movie!
He's one of the most under-marketed Disney franchises!

 

[clarksfan95]

Disney only has partial ownership. They may not do anything with him unless the other parties which own partial rights give the okay. It's the same way with the other parties.

Though I thought they all shared equal rights...it looks to me that Zemekis might own majority and be able to do whatever it is he wishes to do. Disney did not originally create or develop Roger Rabbit, he was brought in and Disney helped out with partial animation of the picture, as did Warner Bros. The majority of the animation was done over in England at a studio owned by animation guru, Richard Williams.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Disney only has partial ownership. They may not do anything with him unless the other parties which own partial rights give the okay. It's the same way with the other parties.

Though I thought they all shared equal rights...it looks to me that Zemekis might own majority and be able to do whatever it is he wishes to do. Disney did not originally create or develop Roger Rabbit, he was brought in and Disney helped out with partial animation of the picture, as did Warner Bros. The majority of the animation was done over in England at a studio owned by animation guru, Richard Williams.

I'm fairly sure that Disney did buy out the film option rights for any Roger Rabbit derivative works and release rights to the original in 2001 or 2002 before the special edition DVD was released. They do still have to pay royalties to Warner Brothers on the original for obvious reasons, but I think that the movie itself, associated licensing and rights belong to Disney now. I remember in late 2003 there was big talk of there potentially being new WFRR? movie(s) in the works.

Zemeckis might have some standing contractual rights for WFRR? too.

Personaly .... I want more Roger Rabbit! I don't care who does it, just more p- p- p- please?

 

[DonMuppetFan83]

Roger Rabbit was one of my favorite movies for a period when I was younger. Ive always wanted to ride the RR ride at DL but havent gotten out there yet. I would love a sequel and Bob Hoskins if hes still alive to play Eddie again.

 

[Studios Fan]

I would like to see a sequel.

 

[GothMickey]

I thought Amblin owned Roger Rabbit, hence Disney not being able to use him in the parks, other than what is already there? :shrug:

 

[DisneyNut2007]

I thought Amblin owned Roger Rabbit...

Yes, but only 50%. The other 50% is owned by Disney, so it's a joint-ownership, just like with Disney sharing ownership of the Pooh characters with A. A. Milne's family, the Tarzan characters being co-owned by Disney and Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc., etc.