Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the cartoon character Walt Disney created beforeMickey Mouse, is finally getting the spotlight with his own Disney+ series. Moreover, a filmmaker with connections to brands likeStar Warsand MCU is at the helm:Jon Favreau. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927 and was featured in 27 animated shorts. However, Universal Pictures, who distributed the cartoons, took control of the character and forced Disney out. This resulted in Disney starting over from scratch, ultimately leading to the creation of Mickey Mouse. In 2006, Disney acquired the trademark of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit by trading the services of Al Michaels as play-by-play announcer onNBC Sunday Night Footballto NBCUniversal.
Deadlinereports that Favreau, the director ofIron Manand the creator ofThe Mandalorian, is set to write and produce a Disney+ series based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The series is described as an animation/live-action hybrid project. No further details have been given, though one might expect to hear some news at D23 in August 2025.
Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau On Trading Early MCU “Cheer Moments” For Laughs in Iron Man
Kevin Feige and Jon Faveau on how they came up with “Marvel’s Formula” on Iron Man while chosing between end of scene cheers or laughs.
Favreau has certainly become a go-to name at the Walt Disney Company. He directed 2008’sIron Man, the film that would kick off the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which Disney acquired the following year. He then directedIron Man 2and has since appeared as his character Happy Hogan in multiple MCU films, including last summer’s blockbuster smash hitDeadpool & Wolverine. Favreau is also the creator of the Disney+ hit seriesThe Mandalorianand is now shepherding theStar Warsreturn to the big screen withThe Mandalorian & Groguset for release in May 2026. Meanwhile, he has also directed two of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes, 2016’sThe Jungle Bookand 2019’sThe Lion King, which grossed $966 million and $1.6 billion, respectively.
Oswald Has Been Waiting for His Moment Since Almost 100 Years Ago
Ever sinceDisney acquired Oswald the Lucky Rabbitin 2006, they have slowly been reintegrating him into the company’s legacy. In 2010, Oswald made his big grand return in the video gameEpic Mickey, which saw him team up with his “younger brother,” Mickey Mouse. At the front of Disney’s California Adventure is Oswald’s Service Station, a 1920s gas station-themed gift shop with Oswald on its logo, where guests can purchase their own version of Oswald’s ears and even take a photo with the character. Oswald also recently had a cameo role in the short filmOnce Upon a Studio, acknowledging his place within the Disney canon. Yet, this Disney+ series is certainly the biggest effort the company has made with the character.
In many ways, it is fitting that Jon Favreau will be the person to usher in the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit project. Not only does he have history across various divisions of Disney, such as Marvel,Star Wars, and their live-action remakes, but in 2011,he was working on a film adaptation about Disneyland titledMagic Kingdom. Described as aNight at the Museum,but for Disneyland,Magic Kingdomwas going to delve into the history of Disney as a company. Given that Favreau has a deep passion for Disney, Favreau is the right person to revive Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for a new generation, one that has likely never heard of him.
Source:Deadline
