Disney+ lines up The Return of the Rocketeer
David Farnor | On 01, Sep 2021
Disney is reportedly reviving cult classic The Rocketeer with a new movie, titled The Return of the Rocketeer.
The original film, directed by Joe Johnston (Captain America), was first released back in 1991. Based on Dave Stevens’ graphic novel, it follows a young pilot who winds up with a prototype jetpack that enables him to become a high-flying hero.
The franchise is no stranger to Disney+, with the subscription streaming service recently releasing an animated series via Disney Junior called The Rocketeer, which served as part-sequel, part-reboot. Now, The Rocketeer is flying back on to our screens again, with a live-action film on the radar.
The film is written by Ed Ricourt (Now You See Me, Raising Dion) and will take a decidedly different approach to the material, following a retired Tuskegee airman who ends up taking up the Rocketeer mantle. The film is produced by David Oyelowo and Jessica Oyelowo under their Yoruba Saxon banner, with David potentially set to star in the lead role as well.
Other producers include Brigham Taylor, Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein at Mortal Media.
The project is the latest from Yoruba Saxon, which has a first-look deal with Disney, with comedy series First Gen also in the works for Disney+, and previous projects including HBO’s Nightingale and Fox Searchlight’s A United Kingdom.