Entertainment
Disney Won't Make A Roger Rabbit Sequel Because Of Jessica Rabbit
By TeeJay Small
| Published
Fans of the hit 1988 comedy mystery Who Framed Roger Rabbit may be dismayed to learn that the long-awaited sequel project will never get off the ground, thanks to Disney’s desire not to be associated with one particular character. The character in question is Jessica Rabbit, the overtly-sensual cartoon-animated human wife of Roger. According to a recent write-up in Variety, Who Framed Roger Rabbit filmmaker Robert Zemeckis says Jessica Rabbit is just too sexy for modern Disney, though he refuses to tone her down in order to secure the green light for a sequel.
A Sequel Script Exists
Zemeckis specifically spoke on the potential future of the Who Framed Roger Rabbit franchise during a recent podcast appearance, wherein he confirmed that he had penned a sequel script many years ago. Despite his desire to return to the film, which expertly blends hand-drawn animation with live-action performance in an unprecedented technological leap for cinema, Disney execs have made no secret of their disdain.
Zemeckis even went so far as to claim that the original Roger Rabbit film would never have been made in today’s climate, since Disney are so squeamish about showing off Jessica Rabbit’s inherent sex appeal in all its cartoon glory.
Jessica Rabbit Is Too Sexy For Disney
To further illustrate his point about a Roger Rabbit sequel being fully dead on arrival, Robert Zemeckis pointed to the treatment of the Jessica Rabbit character within the Disney theme park. Apparently, a mannequin of the voluptuous cartoon woman used to be displayed prominently outside the Disneyland ride “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin,” bearing her trademark sparkling red dress and purple elbow-length gloves. In 2021, Jessica Rabbit’s presentation on the ride was dialed way back, and replaced with an iteration of the character’s buxom figure buried under a trench coat.
Jessica Rabbit isn’t the only character to receive this treatment either, as many fans were quick to point out shortly after the release of 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy. Much like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the original Space Jam centered much of its narrative on an overtly sexual portrayal of Lola Bunny, which simply didn’t jive with modern Disney trends in the sequel.
If there’s any hope of bringing Jessica Rabbit back to the big screen in the future, she may require the same retooling as Lola, though that’s easier said than done for a character built entirely on being a sex symbol.
We’ll Never See The Sequel
Maybe launching a Roger Rabbit sequel with a covered-up Jessica Rabbit wouldn’t be such a problem, though Zemeckis claims that the character’s over-the-top status as a sex symbol is integral to the plot. Indeed, Jessica’s skimpy outfit, voluptuous curves, and sensual breathy voice were each major contributors to the original Who Framed Roger Rabbit‘s success- not just for atmospheric purposes, but as necessary plot points for the film’s narrative. While nobody can truly be sure what the filmmaker had planned for his long-awaited sequel film, it seems clear that putting Jessica Rabbit in a puffy coat and a pair of Uggs is completely out of the question.
While describing the doomed Who Framed Roger Rabbit sequel, Zemeckis highlighted the depths of depravity that older Disney films often displayed. He likened old-school animated projects to films made with adult audiences in mind, despite the fact that children were welcome to come along. Now that Disney has turned its back on Jessica Rabbit, it’s important to note that she’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way- and if Robert Zemeckis is involved, that’s the only way she’ll be drawn at all.
Source: Variety
Entertainment
Ryan Gosling to star in MCUs Ghost Rider film
After years of rumors and on-again, off-again flirtation between Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary, Barbie) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s now confirmed: the actor will play Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in an upcoming film.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
For those unfamiliar with the character, Ghost Rider is the demonic alter ego of stuntman Johnny Blaze, who strikes a deal to sell his soul to the demon Mephisto in order to save his father’s life. Blaze’s soul is then bonded to Zarathos, the Spirit of Vengeance, transforming him into a leather-jacketed, motorcycle-riding, flame-skulled avenger. Thus, Blaze is forced to punish the wicked and evil whenever Mephisto needs him to.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige introduced Gosling to a packed Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con to roaring applause. The titular film will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously helmed Deadpool & Wolverine, and is slated for release in 2028. It marks the first film adaptation of the supernatural antihero since 2007’s Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Mashable Top Stories
On the television side, Gabriel Luna played the Robbie Reyes variant of Ghost Rider in the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. That appearance was meant to lead into a solo spin-off slated for 2020, but a “creative impasse” in late 2019 led to the project’s cancellation.
Gosling and Levy are already collaborators. The two are currently working together on Star Wars: Starfighter, due out in May 2027, and reportedly spent downtime on that set trading ideas for a Ghost Rider film.
Alongside the reveal of Gosling at Hall H, Feige also announced Black Panther III as a part of the MCU’s 2028 slate. The film will star David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, Industry) as the titular Black Panther, aka T’Challa II. The last we saw of T’Challa II was his introduction as a small boy in Wakanda Forever, revealed to be the son of Chadwick Bosman’s T’Challa with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o).
Not much is known about the plot for Ghost Rider, but given the character’s ties to Mephisto, it won’t be a surprise to see Sacha Baron Cohen reprise the role from Ironheart.
Entertainment
Get lifetime ad blocking for up to 9 devices for $11
TL;DR: Protect up to nine devices with the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription for $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
It doesn’t matter if your household has two devices or 20, keeping everyone’s online activity protected can quickly become complicated. The AdGuard Family Plan simplifies things by covering up to nine devices with a single lifetime subscription. Through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT, new users can get it for $11 (reg. $169.99).
The Family Plan is designed specifically for households rather than individual users. In addition to blocking intrusive ads across supported devices, it helps reduce online tracking, warns about phishing sites, and adds another layer of protection against malware. That means fewer distractions while browsing and more peace of mind when the whole family is online.
Mashable Deals
One great feature is the parental controls. Parents can restrict access to inappropriate or adult content while still giving kids access to the sites and apps they know and love. Combined with privacy protection that helps hide browsing activity from trackers, the plan focuses on creating a safer online experience for everyone using the family’s devices.
The Family Plan works across desktop and mobile platforms, making it easy to protect laptops, phones, and tablets under a single subscription. Since it’s a lifetime plan, you won’t have to worry about monthly renewals or annual subscription costs after the initial purchase.
This offer is available to new users only, it covers up to nine devices, and you have to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase.
Mashable Deals
If you’re looking for an easy way to protect multiple devices without juggling separate subscriptions, the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription is price-dropped to $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for life for $27.97 — Ditch 365 for good
TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). Get a lifetime Windows license for $27.97 (reg. $219.99).
$27.97
$219.99
Save $192.02
Microsoft keeps releasing new versions of Office, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs the latest one. For plenty of entrepreneurs, freelancers, students, and everyday office workers, Office Professional 2021 still checks every important box. For a limited time, a lifetime license is just $27.97 (reg. $219.99).
Office Professional 2021 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and the free version of Teams, giving you a complete productivity suite that works offline after installation. It’s compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you can keep working with the familiar desktop apps you already rely on.
Mashable Deals
Microsoft 365 includes extras like cloud storage, AI-powered tools, and continuous feature updates, but not everyone needs them. If you’re perfectly happy with the familiar Office apps you’ve been using for years, Office 2021 delivers the essentials without an ongoing subscription.
Better yet, it’s a one-and-done purchase. Buy it once, install it on one Windows PC, and keep using the software without worrying about another subscription renewal or future price increase. The license is tied directly to your device rather than your Microsoft account, which some users may prefer for its straightforward licensing model.
It’s also surprisingly well-rounded for the price. Compared with Office Home & Business 2024, which includes five core desktop apps, Office Professional 2021 comes with eight: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). That includes Access for database management and Publisher for desktop publishing, although Microsoft plans to end Publisher support in Oct. 2026.
Mashable Deals
Normally $219.99, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $27.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Ryan Gosling to star in MCUs Ghost Rider film
Report: A's sign LHP Dallas Keuchel to minor league deal
