Most people are unaware of the fact that Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was Disney's first breakout character, rather than Mickey Mouse.
However, after creating the character, Walt Disney would learn a valuable lesson about contracts when he discovered that Universal Pictures owned the rights to the character. As such, Walt chose to develop a new mascot in 1928, Mickey Mouse.
Fast forward to today, and Oswald and some of his first cartoon adventures have entered the public domain thanks to their copyrights expiring.
Similar to the Winnie the Pooh horror films, an independent effort is in the works for Oswald, although the character will retain his animation roots.
In Oswald Down The Rabbit Hole, Ghostbusters veteran Hudson will play Oswald Jebediah Coleman, "a brilliant animator who is cast away to a bone-chilling magical prison, " according to Deadline.
The film will follow Oswald Jebediah's grandsons, Art (Topher Hall) and Evan (Yasha Rayzberg), who are on a journey to learn more about their family history. Their investigation ultimately leads them to become trapped in the same location as their grandpa, where his deadly rabbit creation begins to pursue them.
Lilton Stewart III wrote the script and is also directing. Per Deadline, the film has a modest production budget of $4.5 million.
In a press statement, Stewart stated, "I had a very specific vision for Oswald’s character and knew I wanted Ernie for this role from the start, as I’ve always admired iconic cinematic legacy. Ernie is going to bring Oswald’s unique and vengeful spirit to life in the best way possible."
Hudson added, "I am excited to work with everyone on this production. It’s an incredibly creative and smart project."
It's definitely a unique spin on the genre and has more horror fans intrigued by the concept of a live-action/animation hybrid as opposed to the low-budget slasher films similar to the Winnie the Pooh-centered Blood and Honey films.
Stay tuned for future updates.
Oswald Down The Rabbit Hole Synopsis: Don't cross this unlucky soul-hangry rabbit.
Art and some of his closest friends help track down his long-lost family lineage. When they find and explore his Great-Grandpa Oswald's abandoned home, they encounter a magical TV that teleports them to a place lost in time, shrouded by dark Hollywood Magic. The group finds that they are not alone when they discover Oswald's come-to-life cartoon Rabbit, a dark entity that decides their souls are it's for the taking. Art and his friends must work together to escape their magical prison before the Rabbit gets to them first.
There'll be no honey, but there will be blood.