Robert Zemeckis Says Disney Will Not Make 'Roger Rabbit' Sequel

In a recent interview on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, director Robert Zemeckis expressed his belief that a sequel to 'Roger Rabbit' is unlikely to happen today due to the character Jessica Rabbit's controversial sex appeal. He noted that a good script for a sequel exists at Disney but that the company has moved away from producing films that feature such provocative characters. Furthermore, Zemeckis pointed to changes made to Jessica's appearance in Disneyland, where she was dressed in a trench coat to downplay her looks. Zemeckis highlighted the climate of today’s Disney, stating, 'the current Disney would never make 'Roger Rabbit' today'. This sentiment underscores a shift in Disney's approach towards animation and character representation since the original film's release in 1988. At that time, the studio was ready to push boundaries and re-establish itself in Hollywood, giving Zemeckis the freedom to create a film that he felt matched Walt Disney’s vision. The original 'Roger Rabbit' was a commercial and critical success, acclaimed for blending live-action and animation. Zemeckis reminisced about the film's process and the PG rating it received, which seemed surprising given its mature themes. He remarked that the film was made with an adult audience in mind, contrasting with modern-day expectations that prioritize making content suitable for children. Ultimately, Zemeckis’s reflections reveal the ongoing evolution of Disney’s brand and its impact on creative storytelling, suggesting that the polarizing elements which defined the original are no longer tenable in the current environment.