Will Netflix's Scooby-Doo Reboot Be Another Velma Disaster?

Netflix plans to introduce a fresh, contemporary take on the Scooby Doo series on their streaming platform.

Over the years, the fictional character Scooby Doo has been bombarded with numerous questions like “What’s Up?” and “Where Are You?” during his TV shows. However, now that Netflix has unveiled their upcoming live-action series featuring Scooby Doo, a question of great interest is whether there’s an audience demand for this new production.

In this contemporary remake, longtime companions Shaggy and Daphne join forces at a summer camp with intelligent town-dweller Velma and charming Fred to unravel the enigma of a stray Great Dane pup abandoned there. This puppy could potentially have observed an otherworldly killing.

Netflix, March 2025

Despite Scooby Doo’s enduring popularity, which has outlasted many other shows from Hannah-Barbera’s earlier years, the series has faced criticism lately following the heated reactions to alterations made to the original storyline in 2023’s Velma, aimed at promoting diversity.

Over time, Scooby Doo has been involved in various projects that received mixed responses from audiences. For instance, the animated movie “Return to Zombie Island” and the live-action “Daphne & Velma” film, which many seem to have forgotten. The intense criticism faced by “Daphne & Velma,” in particular, has left a mark on the brand, placing it in a challenging position. With Netflix known for its mixed results in producing live-action remakes, Scooby Doo has quite a task ahead to decipher how to create a successful show.

As a franchise, Scooby Doo has demonstrated that not every installment needs to be a blockbuster sensation, as it boasts approximately 50 films across various media formats, some of which are less well-known. It’s important to note that the franchise’s formula has captured the imagination of viewers from multiple generations and decades. Given the current popularity of “van lifestyle” and ghost stories among younger audiences, producing a new series could help expand the fanbase, financially speaking. However, predicting the success of such a venture on Netflix can be tricky.

Independent of whether you were a fan of brief-running shows or not, “Velma” has become a significant topic in the cultural debate. As numerous franchises seem to be moving towards contemporary industry tendencies that echo tropes from earlier timeframes, such as the early 2000s, the new showrunners, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them to make Mystery Inc. beloved by viewers across the globe once again.

The forthcoming series is described as a “contemporary retelling” of the legendary detective collective, delving into the early chapters of their storied past.

At Camp Ruby-Spears during their last summer, longtime pals Shaggy and Daphne find themselves entangled in a spooky enigma involving a forlorn Great Dane puppy who could be linked to a supernatural homicide. Alongside the rational and fact-finding local resident Velma, and the mysterious yet charming newcomer Freddy, they delve into resolving this case that seems to drag each of them into an ominous nightmare, potentially revealing their hidden truths.

Announcement on Netflix.com

According to the information provided by the production team thus far, it seems that the crew holds the brand in high regard. In fact, executive producer Greg Berlanti has mentioned that one of his earliest and most cherished jobs was working with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera when they signed animation cels.

There’s a great deal of eager anticipation that the Scooby-Doo series will turn out well, but ultimately it’s up to Netflix to steer the Mystery Machine. Fans can only cross their fingers and hope that the destination won’t be another disappointing ride for viewers on the streaming platform.

2025-03-29 17:55

Will Netflix’s Scooby-Doo Reboot Be Another Velma Disaster?

Read More