Favreau's Oswald Rabbit Series Coming to Disney+

Jon Favreau, a veteran of Disney filmmaking, is collaborating with the studio on a Disney+ series featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a classic animated icon. A Deadline report reveals Favreau will blend live-action and animation techniques to bring Oswald to the streaming service. He’ll serve as both writer and producer. Plot details and casting remain undisclosed.

Oswald, a significant figure in Disney's history, had a surprisingly brief tenure with the company. Created by Walt Disney, he starred in 26 silent cartoons (1927-1928) before a rights dispute led to Universal acquiring him. This period, detailed in our in-depth look at Disney's 100-year history, proved pivotal, ultimately leading to the creation of Mickey Mouse.

Disney regained Oswald's rights in 2006 and released a new short featuring him in 2022—his first original appearance in 95 years. This new series suggests a desire to elevate Oswald beyond a historical footnote. While a release date is unannounced, the live-action/animation hybrid project is expected sometime in the future.

While Favreau tackles one of Disney's oldest properties, he's also deeply involved in its newer franchises. His contributions to Star Wars (The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, Ahsoka) are well-known, as is his 15-year involvement with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both on-screen and behind the camera (including directing the 2019 Lion King remake). He's also set to direct The Mandalorian and Grogu's theatrical release in 2026.

Interestingly, Oswald's recent cinematic appearance predates this announcement by less than a year. In 2023, Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole, a horror film starring Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), was released shortly after Oswald entered the public domain.