New Look: ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’ Wraps Production with Real-Life Pup

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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For over 50 years, ‘Scooby-Doo’ has been a staple in animation, leading to three theatrical films and numerous animated series. The beloved Great Dane and his group of meddling teens have tackled countless mysteries, typically revealing a disgruntled old man in a costume by the end.

Despite its extensive history, one aspect of the Mystery Inc. saga has yet to be depicted on screen: the origins of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby. Netflix aims to fill that gap with a live-action reimagining that has generated excitement since its announcement.

This project, ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins,’ has officially completed production, as reported by Netflix’s Tudum. A behind-the-scenes image shared to celebrate this milestone features an adorable Great Dane puppy sitting behind a clapperboard that reads “Season 1, Rrr-Wrapped,” confirming that filming has concluded in Atlanta.

The series reimagines the gang’s origin story during their last summer at camp, where old friends Shaggy and Daphne stumble upon a haunting mystery involving a lonely Great Dane puppy who may have witnessed a supernatural murder. Along with scientific townie Velma and the intriguing new kid Freddy, the group finds themselves embroiled in a case that threatens to reveal secrets they are not prepared to confront.

Mckenna Grace stars as Daphne Blake, with Tanner Hagen portraying Shaggy Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley, and Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones. The cast is impressive, featuring Paul Walter Hauser, André Benjamin, Cathy Moriarty, Rusty Schwimmer, Peter Macon, Sara Gilbert, Bruce McGill, and many more filling out Coolsville.

A significant change in this adaptation is the portrayal of Scooby himself. For the first time, the iconic character will be played by a real dog instead of an animated or CGI version. A teaser released earlier this year showcased the floppy-eared Great Dane wearing his signature teal collar, and fans have responded positively to this casting decision.

Behind the scenes, showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg are leading the project through their production company, Midnight Radio, with Toby Haynes directing the first episode. The executive producer team includes Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson.

Berlanti, who has a long history in television, shared what attracted him to the project, recalling how one of his earliest and favorite Hollywood experiences involved working with Hanna-Barbera co-founders Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera as they signed animation cels, according to comments shared with Tudum. He praised Appelbaum, Rosenberg, and the Midnight Radio team for creating a story that honors the spirit of the franchise’s original creators.

With filming now finished, focus shifts to post-production as Netflix gears up to release ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins.’ The streaming service has confirmed that the series will debut sometime in 2027, although a specific date has yet to be revealed.

Given the impressive cast and the unique choice of a real-dog Scooby, anticipation for the series is high among long-time fans. Whether this origin tale can capture the charm that has kept Mystery Inc. relevant for generations remains to be seen, but the wrap announcement indicates that the wait is nearing its end.

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