2019 marks fifty years since a talking Great Dane named Scooby-Doo and his mystery solving friends first became pop culture icons. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? first premiered on September 13th, 1969. And since then, Scoob and the gang have had multiple animated shows, and a pair of live-action theatrical films as well. But he’s never had his own animated movie, believe it or not.
But that’s all about to change, as next summer Warner Brothers Animation is releasing Scoob!, an CGI animated big screen reboot of the iconic franchise. And in anticipation of the forthcoming trailer which is set to premiere soon, Warners Brothers has released the first four images from the film, via Fandango.
Warner Brothers Animation
From the looks of things, it appears that Scoob! will keep to the classic 1969 designs from the original Hanna-Barbera show. Although the characters have been redesigned somewhat for the more modern TV versions and straight-to-DVD releases, these ones for the film definitely feel pretty classic. Aside from the fact that it seems as if Fred Jones has ditched his orange ascot, this is old school Scooby-Doo all the way. Even the Mystery Machine looks like the original one — just with a lot more added ghost hunting equipment on the roof. Gotta keep up with the times after all.
Warner Brothers Animation
Although the designs call back to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, it looks like the ’90s animated series A Pup Named Scooby-Doo gets a shout out in this movie too. This image below looks like the junior versions of the Mystery, Inc. gang from that iteration of the franchise. It’ll probably just be a brief flashback sequence in all probability, but I am sure that all the ’90s kids out there will eat this up like Scoob eats a box of Scooby snacks.
Warner Brothers Animation
For this new movie, voice acting legend Frank Welker returns as Scooby — the only original cast member to return. Although he is the original voice of Fred Jones, for the movie Zac Efron will play Fred. Gina Rodriguez will voice Velma Dinkley, and Amanda Seyfried will assay the role of Daphne Blake. And none other than Will Forte will voice Scooby’s BFF and fellow food-aholic, Shaggy.
Other classic ’70s era Hanna-Barbera characters are slated to appear in the movie, including Tracy Morgan as Captain Caveman and Kiersey Clemons as Dee Dee Sykes, leader of the mystery solving Teen Angels. Ken Jeong will lend his voice to Dynomutt, the Dog Wonder, while Mark Wahlberg will finally get a chance to be a superhero as the Blue Falcon.
Warner Brothers Animation
Rounding out the main cast is Star Trek: Discovery and Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs as Dick Dastardly. Given the other characters we know will be in this movie, this sounds like it will at least be partially inspired by Scooby’s All-Star Laff-A-Lympics cartoon from Scooby’s later years. No Jason Momoa however, which is a bummer given he’s already done a Scoob impersonation. Maybe save it for the sequel?
Directed by Tony Cervone, Scoob! will hit theaters on May 15, 2020.
Images: Warner Brothers Animation