The latest episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast featured director Robert Zemeckis, who was promoting his new film “Here.” This project marks a reunion with his “Forrest Gump” stars, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.
During the discussion, Zemeckis revealed that a sequel script for “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” has been written but expressed skepticism about its production due to current Disney standards regarding character portrayals, particularly Jessica Rabbit.
Zemeckis stated, “Here’s what you have to know: The current Disney would never make ‘Roger Rabbit’ today. They can’t make a movie with Jessica in it. The sequel script isn’t ever going to see the light of day as good as it is. I mean, look what they did to Jessica at the theme park. They trussed her up in a trench coat.”
Originally directed by Zemeckis and written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” achieved remarkable success, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 1988 with a global box office total of $351 million.
The film famously blends live-action with animation, set in an alternate 1947 Hollywood where cartoon characters coexist with humans. Bob Hoskins stars as private investigator Eddie Valiant, who must confront his disdain for toons while working to clear Roger Rabbit of murder charges. Jessica Rabbit, known for her allure, is Roger’s wife.
Reflecting on the film’s success, Zemeckis remarked, “We were able to make it right at the time when Disney was ready to rebuild itself. We were there when a new regime came in, and they were full of energy.
I kept saying, and I sincerely say this, ‘I am making ‘Roger Rabbit’ the way I believe Walt Disney would’ve made it.’ I say that because Walt never made any of his movies for children. He always made them for adults. That’s what I decided to do with ‘Roger Rabbit.’”
The director recalled a test screening involving mothers and their young children, expressing his initial fear about their reactions. “One time we did a test preview with just moms and kids. I was terrified.
These kids were five and six years old. They were riveted by the movie. I realized that kids get everything. They understand. They get it. The thing that Walt Disney never did was he never talked down to the children in his movies. He treated the kids like the adults.”
Zemeckis pointed out that the Disneyland attraction “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” underwent modifications in 2021, with Jessica’s original outfit from the film being replaced by a detective version dressed in a trench coat.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” received six Academy Award nominations, winning Oscars for film editing, sound, and visual effects, along with a special achievement Oscar awarded to Richard Williams for his animation work.
Now playing in theaters nationwide, Zemeckis’s film “Here” is generating buzz, and fans can catch his complete interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast through the video below.