David Oyelowo Exposes Disney’s True Motives Behind ‘The Rocketeer’ Reboot Silence!

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As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the timeless charm of vintage heroes, and that’s why I was thrilled to share my plans for rebooting The Rocketeer back in 2021. Originally created in 1982, this property seemed destined for the silver screen, with Disney snapping up the rights and releasing a feature film adaptation in 1991. Although it cultivated a dedicated fanbase, the movie fell short at the box office.

However, when I joined the project to star and produce a sequel/reboot titled Return of the Rocketeer, there was a sense of renewed excitement surrounding the property. Yet, four years later, it seems Disney’s enthusiasm may have been more about appearances than actual commitment. Regrettably, there’s been no update on this project, leaving us fans to wonder if the studio made the announcement merely for public relations purposes.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, David Oyelowo discusses the challenges he’s facing in projects like the reboot of “The Rocketeer” and the adaptation of Tọlá Okogwu’s “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” books on Netflix. He suggests that some studios have made performative efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following the death of George Floyd in 2020, but these announcements haven’t been followed by meaningful action. With the new Trump administration seemingly hostile to DEI initiatives, Oyelowo shares his thoughts on how this impacts him as a creative professional: “Regardless of any attacks on DEI, we were doing it before the current wave of interest and will continue after.” Concerning “The Rocketeer,” Oyelowo expresses:

Our project, Onyeka, saw significant growth following the death of George Floyd, when there was a cultural shift towards improvement. However, it’s now clear that much of this change was superficial rather than deeply rooted. Consequently, projects like Onyeka are being scrutinized more closely. The Disney project Return Of The Rocketeer is another example facing similar challenges.

‘Return of the Rocketeer’s Troubled History

Although The Rocketeer didn’t fare well at the box office for Disney back in the 90s, they have been persistently working on revitalizing the franchise since then. As early as 2016, there were plans for a sequel set six years after the original movie, focusing on a black female pilot. A Disney Junior continuation series titled The Rocketeer premiered in 2019, targeting preschool and kindergarten audiences. In 2020, J.D. Dillard was appointed as the director for the film reboot. By August 2021, it was revealed that the movie would be titled Return of the Rocketeer, with David Oyelowo set to star and produce the film for Disney+. However, by 2022, Dillard had parted ways from the project, leaving the status of the Rocketeer sequel or reboot uncertain after four years since its initial announcement.

As a movie enthusiast who’s always kept an eye on Hollywood, I’ve noticed a shift in Disney’s reputation. Once known for being progressive, they’ve found themselves at the receiving end of jokes due to their sporadic representation of openly queer characters, often without substantial impact. Post Trump’s 2024 presidential win, Disney’s public image took a significant hit. Shows like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Win or Lose, which prominently featured transgender characters, were mysteriously pulled before airing, leading many to label this as a political move.

Moreover, Disney has faced criticism for casting diverse actors in prominent roles but failing to support them when they encounter racism or hate speech. The experiences of Rachel Zegler in Snow White, Kelly Marie Tran in The Last Jedi, and the cast of The Acolyte are prime examples. It’s a disappointing turn for a studio that once held such promise for inclusivity and representation.

Some may argue that the release of Return of the Rocketeer is being postponed or shelved because it was originally planned for Disney+. However, just like the third attempt to turn Tron into a franchise despite the poor box office performance of the previous films, Return of the Rocketeer appears equally suitable for a feature film.

Given the Trump administration’s criticism of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as some individuals using it as a negative buzzword, and considering Disney’s recent actions and Oyelowo’s comments, it appears not only possible but unfortunately accurate. The announcement of this new Rocketeer project by Disney was meant to attract attention, but now that they must back the project in the current political climate, they seem hesitant, fearing accusations of being too critical and “woke.

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2025-05-02 17:02