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Scoob!
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox film
| name = Scoob!
| image = Scoob poster.png
| caption = VOD release poster
| director = Tony Cervone
| producer =
| screenplay =
| story =
| based_on =
| starring =
| music = Tom Holkenborg
| cinematography =
| editing =
| production_companies =
| distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures
| released =
| runtime = 93 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $90 million
| gross = $28.5 million
}}
'Scoob!' (stylized in all caps as 'SCOOB!') is a 2020 American computer-animated mystery comedy film based on Hanna-Barbera's 'Scooby-Doo' franchise, produced by the Warner Animation Group, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is a reboot of the theatrical' Scooby-Doo' film series and the third theatrical film based on the characters, following 'Scooby-Doo' (2002) and 'Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed' (2004). Set in an alternate Hanna-Barbera animated multiverse, the film's story follows Mystery Incorporated solving their biggest and most challenging mystery behind their own mascot's secret legacy and true purpose that connects with a plan to unleash Cerberus.
The film is directed by Tony Cervone (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel, Jack Donaldson, Derek Elliott, and Matt Lieberman, and a story by Lieberman, Eyal Podell, and Jonathon E. Stewart. It stars the voices of Frank Welker, Will Forte, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, and Amanda Seyfried. The film also features the voices of Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, and Tracy Morgan as other Hanna-Barbera animated characters. Plans for a new 'Scooby-Doo' theatrical film began in June 2014, when Warner Bros. announced that they would reboot the 'Scooby-Doo' film series with an animated film. Cervone was hired to direct the film in August 2015, with Dax Shepard being brought to co-direct it in September 2016, until he was no longer as part of the project by October 2018.
'Scoob!' was originally set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 15, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic causing the closure of theaters across the globe, Warner Bros. made the film available to own digitally in the United States on the same date it was planned to be released in theaters. It received a theatrical release in select countries beginning in July 2020 and a secondary theatrical release in the United States beginning on May 21, 2021 for three days. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its animation and sense of nostalgia, but criticized its modernization and screenplay. 'Scoob!' topped digital rental charts in its first three weekends of release, and became the third-most watched title on PVOD. A spin-off prequel, 'Scoob! Holiday Haunt', was set to follow up the film for release through HBO Max, but was canceled in August 2022.
Plot
In a world co-populated by Hanna-Barbera characters, a young, lonely Shaggy Rogers befriends and adopts a young talking stray Great Dane, whom he names Scooby-Doo. On Halloween night, Scooby and Shaggy meet three young childrenFred Jones, Daphne Blake, and Velma Dinkleybefore venturing in a haunted house, where they capture a thief disguised as a ghost, which inspires them to form Mystery Inc. and solve mysteries together.
After ten years of solving mysteries, Mystery Inc. goes into business. During an investor meeting with Simon Cowell, he refuses to do business with Scooby and Shaggy involved due to their childish behavior, claiming friendship is useless. The pair quit the group and storm out to the Takamoto bowling alley, where they are terrorized by shapeshifting robots called Rottens that belong to Dick Dastardly, who seeks to capture Scooby and Cerberus' three skulls. They are rescued by Dee Dee Skyes, and their lifelong idols, Dynomutt and Brian Crown, who has taken over from his father's role as the masked superhero, Blue Falcon. Dastardly and the Rottens trap and terrorize Scooby and Shaggy in a creepy abandoned amusement park, but the Falcon Force rescue them and investigate that Dastardly finds Scooby important, causing Shaggy to feel alone.
Meanwhile, Fred, Daphne, and Velma discover that Dastardly is after Scooby and Shaggy, and head off to investigate. The group also reminisces about the good times they had with Shaggy and Scooby around, before being imprisoned in Dastardly's airship. They escape with one of the Rottens' help, and make contact with Dee Dee to explain that she and the others are being taken to Messick Mountain, where the last skull is located. The group then finds out that Dastardly's plan is to open the gates to the Underworld to rescue his dog Muttley, who was trapped during an attempt to steal the Underworld's riches. Dastardly needs Scooby to unlock the gates since he is the last remaining descendant of Alexander the Great's dog, Peritas.
Scooby, Shaggy, and the Falcon Force go underground to a prehistoric island in Messick Mountain. Shaggy, who sees Scooby's importance as an insult to their friendship, wants Scooby to stay with him on the ship. Scooby wants Shaggy to join him and the group, but Shaggy demands Scooby to choose between him and them. Scooby picks the Falcon Force, to Shaggy's dismay, and finds Captain Caveman guarding the last skull and testing his bravery, in a fight for it. Dastardly tricks Shaggy into taking him to Scooby and the skull, and captures them, while the Rottens throw Fred, Daphne, and Velma out of the airship. Shaggy expresses guilt and remorse for Scooby's capture, and his speech inspires everyone to work together and rescue Scooby.
Arriving in Athens, Dastardly reveals the Underworld's gates with the three skulls and tries to unlock them with Scooby's paw while Scooby's friends pursue him in a flying Mystery Machine. The Rottens shoot them down, while Dastardly releases the rampaging Cerberus, causing the town to flee. Scooby runs to the crash site to reunite with his friends, and Dastardly reunites with Muttley in the Underworld, and they escape with some treasure. Scooby and Shaggy determine how to trap Cerberus; Fred, Daphne, and Velma determine how to close the gates; and the Falcon Force flies around Cerberus to keep him distracted. With help from the Rottens, they trap Cerberus back in the Underworld, but Shaggy sacrifices himself to stay inside the Underworld and lock the gates, following Alexander the Great and Peritas' bond prophecy. The gang finds an exit that continues the prophecy, which Scooby unlocks to reunite with Shaggy.
The Rottens capture Muttley and Dastardly, who's unmasked twice in revelation that he impersonated Cowell. The Falcon Force take the pair into custody, while Mystery Inc. return home to Venice Beach and unveil their official headquarters. They celebrate their grand opening with the entire town, including the Falcon Force, who gifts them an upgraded Mystery Machine, before they head off to solve another mystery.
Voice cast
Additionally, director Tony Cervone cameos as the voices of Ghost/Mr. Rigby as well as Alice.
Production
Development
On June 17, 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that they would reboot the 'Scooby-Doo' film series with an animated film, then being written by Randall Green. On August 17, 2015, Tony Cervone, who had previously worked on several 'Scooby-Doo' projects, was hired to direct the animated film, now with a script by Matt Lieberman. Allison Abbate and Pam Coats produced the film, with Charles Roven and Richard Suckle among its executive producers. Dan Povenmire, the co-creator of the Disney Channel series, 'Phineas and Ferb' and 'Milo Murphy's Law', was set to be involved in a creative capacity, and was eventually also credited as an executive producer on the film.
At the 2016 CinemaCon, the film's official title was announced to be 'S.C.O.O.B.', with a plot involving Scooby-Doo and Shaggy rescued by a larger organization led by Blue Falcon. The film was intended to lead into a cinematic universe based on Hanna-Barbera properties. In September 2016, it was reported that Dax Shepard would co-direct and co-write the film along with Cervone and Liberman respectively. In October 2018, it was announced that Shepard was no longer part of the project, thus leaving Cervone the solo director once again with Kelly Fremon Craig set to serve as screenwriter instead and Chris Columbus set to join as one of the film's executive producers as well. Ultimately, Lieberman, Adam Sztykiel, Jack Donaldson, and Derek Elliott received screenplay credit, with Lieberman, Eyal Podell, and Jonathon E. Stewart having "story by" billing.
Later in production, many miscellaneous Hanna-Barbera characters were cut, and the story changed to focus on Scooby-Doo and Shaggy's friendship and give Scooby an emotional arc. According to Tony Cervone, the film also took inspiration from 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' and is a Scooby-Doo mystery that's bigger, more personal, and goes beyond the typical formula. Cervone also called the film a "love letter" to Hanna-Barbera, in an interview with Jackson Murphy on animationscoop.com.
Casting
In March 2019, Frank Welker was revealed to reprise as Scooby-Doo, while Will Forte, Gina Rodriguez, and Tracy Morgan had signed on to voice Shaggy, Velma, and Captain Caveman. Forte, a fan of the franchise, aimed to create a more emotional Shaggy, while adding his own spin on voicing him. To homage Casey Kasem's impression, who he considers an icon, and he also praised Matthew Lillard's impression. Rodriguez, another fan of the franchise, aimed to create a more outspoken Velma and was thrilled to voice her as a Latina American, after discussing with director Tony Cervone about how they could sneak her heritage into her. Morgan also loved Captain Caveman growing up, and would even yell out his signature catchphrase when having fun at home.In May 2019, Zac Efron and Amanda Seyfried were cast as Fred and Daphne. Efron's casting marked a rare occasion in which the character has not been voiced by Welker (who has played Fred in most incarnations since the show's debut in 1969).[https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Scooby-Doo/Fred-Jones/ Behind the Voice Actors: Fred Jones] Behind the Voice Actors, Retrieved May 18, 2020 Efron aimed to create a more fun and honest Fred, and Seyfried aimed to create a more empathetic and relatable Daphne. They have both also grown up as fans of the franchise, as well.[https://stack.com.au/film-tv/film-tv-interview/interview-with-the-director-and-cast-of-scoob/ Interview with the director and cast of Scoob!] Stack, September 14, 2020
Matthew Lillard and Grey Griffin, the current voices of Shaggy and Daphne's regular incarnations, both expressed their disappointment at the news of their roles being recast. Despite this, they still get to voice their mainstream versions, with Lillard wishing the film a good luck, and Griffin not holding any hard feelings towards Seyfried or her performance in the film. A different voice cast of younger adults was chosen, as the film aims to be its own stand-alone story and its characters are reimagined young adults exclusively from a modern cinematic universe. The film's spinoff prequel, 'Scoob! Holiday Haunt' also emphasizes this, confirming Shaggy's kid version was 10 years old, making his grown-up counterpart 20 years old, as its present events took place 10 years after the gang's childhood.
In April 2019, Ken Jeong and Kiersey Clemons were announced to voice Dynomutt and Dee Dee Skyes. In May 2019, Mark Wahlberg and Jason Isaacs joined to voice Blue Falcon and Dick Dastardly, who Isaacs also wanted to re-imagine as a bigger threat.[https://deadline.com/2019/05/mark-wahlberg-jason-isaacs-board-warner-bros-scoob-1202610831/ Mark Wahlberg & Jason Isaacs Board Warner Bros. Scoob] Deadline, May 10, 2019 Mckenna Grace, Iain Armitage, Ariana Greenblatt and Pierce Gagnon were also set as young versions of Daphne, Shaggy, Velma and Fred, respectively.[https://www.thewrap.com/scooby-doo-film-scoob-finds-young-velma-fred-pierce-gagnon-ariana-greenblatt/ Scooby-Doo Film 'Scoob' Finds Its Young Velma and Fred (Exclusive)] The Wrap, May 23, 2019
In March 2020, Simon Cowell joined the cast voicing a fictionalized version of himself. Besides being a business entrepreneur in real life, Cowell is also an avid fan of the franchise and was thrilled to take his role. In May 2020, days before the film's release, it was revealed that voice acting veteran Billy West had reprised his role as Dick Dastardly's sidekick, Muttley, and that Cowell's son, Eric, also has a voice role.
Animation
Animation services were provided by Reel FX Animation Studios, who hired 3D animators with a passion for 2D animation for the project. The animators aimed to translate the classic Hanna-Barbera Productions 2D animation look, feel, and spirit into a stylized 3D/CGI VFX design. The animators also used early 'Scooby-Doo' cartoons as reference and inspiration for the animation sequences.Music
On January 28, 2020, Tom Holkenborg signed on to compose the film's score. On May 5, 2020, it was announced 'Scoob! The Album' would be released on May 15, 2020, including the songs "On Me" by Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown, featuring Ava Max, and "Summer Feelings" by Lennon Stella, featuring Charlie Puth. The soundtrack also includes other songs by various artists, including Faouzia, Sage the Gemini, R3hab, Pink Sweat$, Galantis, Best Coast, Rico Nasty, and Jack Harlow, with the original score being released digitally on May 29, 2020. For the film's music, Holkenborg and the crew also looked back to the music of the original series as inspiration.
Release
'Scoob!' was originally set for a September 21, 2018, release before being pushed back to May 15, 2020. On March 24, 2020, the film's theatrical release was delayed indefinitely due to movie theater closures since mid-March, because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. It was announced on April 21, 2020, that Warner Bros. had canceled the North American theatrical release and would instead make 'Scoob!' available for digital distribution in the United States through Premium Video on demand on the originally scheduled theatrical date. 'Variety' wrote that releasing the film digitally was "a big risk and an almost certain loss for Warner Bros." but noted that the success of 'Trolls: World Tour' in a similar release venue could be a positive sign. As the pandemic receded, Warner Bros. confirmed that the film would still play in theaters in select countries, with relaxed COVID-19 restrictions beginning July 8, 2020. On June 18, it was announced that 'Scoob!' would be available for streaming on HBO Max beginning June 26, 2020. The film was eventually reissued in North American theaters for the weekend of May 2123, 2021. 'Scoob!' was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on July 21, 2020.
Reception
Box office
'Scoob!' was released in theaters on July 10, 2020, in five countries (France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Vietnam), and grossed $1.8 million in its opening weekend. Warner Bros. announced plans to eventually theatrically release the film into 20 markets. Over its second weekend of release, the film made $243,000 from the Netherlands and $266,000 in Spain, as well as finishing third in France. Over the weekend of July 31, the film made $1.3 million from 13 countries. In Spain, the film had a four-week running total of $1.6 million. When the film was issued in North American theaters on May 21, 2021, it debuted in 8th place at the box office over the weekend with $850,000. The film grossed a total of $2.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $24.9 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $27.1 million worldwide.VOD sales
'Scoob!' was the top-rented film on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, FandangoNow, Spectrum, and the iTunes Store in its opening weekend. Although Warner Bros. did not report actual figures, the film had a higher sales count than 'Trolls: World Tour', which made $100 million over its first three days. It remained the top-rented film across all services in its second weekend, then on three of four services in its third. In its fourth week it remained #1 on FandangoNow, while falling to second on Amazon Prime and fourth on the iTunes charts.In its fifth weekend of release Warner Bros. lowered the price from $19.99 to $14.99, and the film finished second on FandangoNow, Amazon Prime, and Spectrum, and fifth on iTunes. While no official numbers were released by Warner Bros., 'Deadline Hollywood' estimated that by mid-June the film had made about 35% to 40% less than 'Trolls: World Tour' (which had itself totaled at least $100 million in sales over its first month). In October 2020, 'The Hollywood Reporter' said the film was the third-most popular PVOD title amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 48% based on 149 reviews and an average rating of 5.30/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "'Scoob!' is fun enough for youthful viewers and some hardcore fans, but never quite solves the mystery of why audiences shouldn't watch old episodes instead." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 43 out of 100 based on 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".In his review for 'The Mercury News', Randy Myers wrote, "'Scoob!' is a goofy and bright surprise - an imaginative reboot that respects its shaggy dog TV roots but is smart enough to add dashes, not shovelfuls, of wry pop-culture and movie references." Michael Phillips of the 'Chicago Tribune' gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars and said, "I'm reasonably happy to report that it's a reasonably diverting reboot. It's also ridiculously overpacked, crammed with Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters from various TV series beyond 'Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'" 'USA Today's Brian Truitt, who also gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, found the opening "super-fun" but thought everything else was Ruh-roh after that. Peter DeBruge of 'Variety' wrote that "this attractive but calculated attempt to connect 'Scooby-Doo' to other Hanna-Barbera characters abandons the show's fun teen-detective format," and 'RogerEbert.com's Christy Lemire gave the film 1.5 out of 4 stars, finding the origin story to be "confounding and convoluted for a pretty straightforward Saturday morning cartoon".
Accolades
Future
Cancelled spin-off
In June 2021, Cervone said that a sequel to the film was in development. On December 22, 2021, HBO Max released a sizzle reel featuring a first look at a Christmas-themed spin-off film, titled 'Scoob! Holiday Haunt', which was to be released on the service in December 2022. The film takes place in the gang's youth, with Welker and the actors who portrayed the younger versions reprising their roles while Cervone returned to write the film with Paul Dini as well to produce the project. The film was co-directed by Bill Haller and Michael Kurinsky, and had a production budget of $40 million. On August 2, 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery canceled its release, citing cost-cutting measures and a refocus on theatrical films rather than creating projects for streaming. Tony Cervone would go on to say on the same day that the project was "practically finished". Later that month, it was reported that the spin-off could still be finished even though Warner Bros. Discovery has no plans to release it.References
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